I need to find a pediatric doctor that knows or understands about Sensory Integration/Sensory Processing Disorder. My daughter desperatly needs OT and her pediatrician refuses to give me a referral. I would like to find a Pediatrican ho is understanding to her needs and knows what SPD is.
Hi J.! I recommend either Dr. Maria Martinez or Dr. Silva from the Pediatric Care Group. The office is located on Lk. Underhill in front of Florida Hospital East.
If your child is less than 3 years old, you should call the Florida Early Steps program at 1850-###-###-#### for early intervention services.They will perform an evaluation and if your child qualifies, will provide therapy at no cost to you until your child is 3. This program is federally funded. If your child is over the age of 3, you should contact the school board of the county where you live. The school board also does evaluations and provides necessary therapies within the Pre-k programs. The key is early and aggressive therapy.
My son was deaf for 10 mos. from chronic ear infections and suffered developmental delays and sensory issues as a result. Our ENT had the insight to refer us to these programs that were free of charge, not based on financial ability, and provided the necessary services for my Son who is now 3 1/2, part of the pre-k program and thriving daily.
Best of luck to you!!!
I am a speech language pathologist...I recommend Dr. Belton and Altamonte Pediatrics.
For OT I recommend Whole-Sum Therapies ###-###-#### and Beckman and Associates ###-###-####
Pam
P.S. God Bless you for seeking out the best intervention and care. May God continue to give you everything you need (besides those 3 beautiful children!!!!) Way to go!!!
Regarding Early Steps, Part C, it is not free if you have medicaid (because medicaid will pay). Part C is payor of last resort, meaning that you should have an Explanation of Benefits Statement from your insurance plan or some proof that they will not reimburse for these therapeutic services (Medicaid will). I think it is better for you to go to a reputable therapy company because all Early Steps will do is evaluate, then refer you to someone on their provider list (which is limited due to the funding issues they have had in the past 5 years). When you go to the OT or ST they are going to do their own eval anyways even if you just got your child evaluated. I don't go by anyone else's eval. Since you have medicaid, it might be a wasted trip to go to Early Intervention. Also, they do not do a full sensory or oral motor evaluation, which is where your needs are at this time. Howard Phillips Developmental Center ###-###-#### is the central fl early intervention program. The funding is called Part C.
Part C is great for a lot of people and is very necessary, but you have more options because you have Medicaid. Is it straight Medicaid or HMO?
------------
Women's Bible Study in NW Orlando. Food, fun, friends, freedom (and FREE BABYSITTING). Thursdays at 7 pm
It's like a mini-house party with learning.
My daughter's pediatrician is Dr.Greggory Coffman with Pediatric Associates of Orlando and I love him! He is very caring and concerned for his young patients. I was referred to him from a doctor in the NICU at Winnie Palmer Hospital. Their phone# is ###-###-####. Give him a call!
