Driscoll’s Developmental Pediatric Medicine (DPM) Department is staffed by both developmental-behavioral pediatric specialists and a pediatric psychologist. Developmental-behavioral specialists are trained to address a range of issues, including developmental delays, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism diagnostic clarification, genetic syndromes, and neurodevelopmental concerns, primarily focusing on behavioral and medication management. Developmental-behavioral pediatricians are NOT psychiatrists and do not perform any counseling services.
The psychologist on staff can provide more specific cognitive and academic standardized testing, along with assessments of emotional functioning, language development and memory functioning. Some counseling services are provided by the psychologist.
Each new patient to the clinic must have a referral from their primary care physician to schedule an evaluation and determine which specialty can best address referral concerns.
Physicians with the Developmental Pediatric Medicine Department perform assessments and provide treatment for the following:
Pediatric psychologists with the Developmental Pediatric Medicine Department perform independent evaluations and can provide some counseling services in the following areas:
A developmental psychologist and educational diagnostician independently provide testing services for the following areas:
Referrals
Each new patient to Driscoll's DPM clinic must have a referral from his/her primary care physician to schedule an evaluation. Referrals must be completed in full with all sections completed. Copies of the last chart notes would greatly assist in helping determine whether a referral is appropriate for our clinic. After we receive the referral, we mail a package of questionnaires and assessment tools to the parents of the patient. We will need to have these returned prior to booking a new patient appointment. Copies of any prior assessments through ECI, school testing, OT, speech and language, PT, or private psychologist need to be provided.
First Visit
Each new patient is asked to complete a health history form and assessment tools prior to the first visit with a DPM specialist. These must be submitted in order to schedule a new patient appointment. This will help our medical staff make a prompt and accurate assessment during the first visit.
Please bring your current insurance cards, including Medicaid cards, and any current prescription bottles. You will need to arrive on time. Patients who arrive 10 minutes late may have to be rescheduled.
Your child will be in the room with you for the evaluation. If you prefer to speak with the doctor alone, you will need to bring someone to watch your child in the lobby. First appointments can last between 60 to 90 minutes.
Routine or Follow-Up Visit
Always bring your insurance cards, including Medicaid cards and all prescription medications.
Cancellation Policy
Please call to cancel any appointments you will be unable to keep at least 24 hours in advance so that we may offer these appointments to other patients in need of treatment. We do our best to see every patient at their scheduled time; however, we reserve the right to reschedule your appointment in the event of a provider emergency or if the patient arrives 10 or more minutes late for an appointment. Same-day cancellations are also considered "no-shows." Excessive no-shows will lead to possible discharge from the clinic.
Patient Forms
Driscoll's DPM clinic provides new and existing patients the following forms to download, complete and bring to your appointment as requested.
Billing and Insurance
Driscoll’s DPM clinic accepts most major insurance carriers. Please remember to bring your insurance or Medicaid card(s) to each visit so that insurance claims may be filed properly. Should you have any questions regarding your insurance/insurance carrier, please call the DBP clinic at (361) 694-5650.
Copayment, deductibles and coinsurance amounts are due at the time of service. We accept cash, checks and most major credit cards. Once your insurance is filed, any outstanding balance will be billed to you. If you have any questions about insurance or billing issues, please call our office during normal business hours. Should you have any questions regarding your insurance/insurance carrier, please call the DBP clinic at (361) 694-5650 during normal business hours.
Prescriptions and Refills
Bring all prescription medications, including vitamins and herbal supplements, to each appointment, even if prescribed by another physician. Whenever possible, please ask for all refills of continuous medications during your appointment.
If your prescription expires before your next visit, contact our office for refills. Please allow 7-10 business days to process refill requests. All controlled substance prescriptions must be picked up at our office. All non-controlled substance prescriptions will be sent to your pharmacy.
Driscoll's DPM pediatricians most commonly address behavioral and medication management issues related to:
While it has been customary to take all developmental and behavioral patients, realistically our practice is NOT equipped to handle more significant comorbidities, including:
Children with those comorbidities will be directed to psychology and/or psychiatry for further assessment and treatment. There are also certain cases that may be initially addressed with therapy alone, including:
The following types of concerns may be initially addressed by a therapist, licensed clinical social worker and/or psychologist:
If psychoeducational testing has already been completed, our developmental and behavioral pediatricians will interpret the data and assist with the formulation of a treatment plan. However, the following types of initial presenting concerns are best addressed with a psychologist:
Call 361-694-5000 or your
specialty clinic.
