NYU Child Study Center

amother

Wed, Feb 05 2014, 7:52 pm

My 5 year old DS's pediatrician diagnosed him with ADHD as he has behavioral problems in school and in the home. He used an assessment form that we as parents filled out and one that was filled out by the teacher. He gave me meds but I don't want to start treating him with anything until I have a thorough assessment by a qualified mental health professional. The pediatrician referred us to the NYU Child Study Center and said that he had another patient that was very satisfied with them. I'm wondering if anyone has ever had their child evaluated by them. They pose several inconveniences for me as they do not accept insurance and they are not located near me. Being that DH and I both work, I don't know how I would get there on a regular basis for therapy. Also, they have a team of psychologists and psychiatrists who do the evaluation. Wouldn't a neuropsychologist be more helpful in making determinations?

I'm looking for other suggestions of qualified mental health professionals as well. TIA.

amother

Wed, Feb 05 2014, 8:05 pm

IMHO it is worth your time and money (if at all feasible) to go to a top center for the evaluation. This is your childs future.
It is normal to have a team do the eval. For each professionals specialize in one area- and then they put their heads together to form a conclusion.
I just had my toddler evaluated at Yale Child Study Center, and they were so great and professional. I knew before going that they are top, but only after I went was I able to fully understand and appreciated the significance of such quality clinicians.
NYU, once they are done the eval.might have ideas closer to your home, who they recommend for you to do therapy with.
Hatzlacha op. You are doing your best for your child.

amother

Wed, Feb 05 2014, 8:24 pm

We went to NYU and a big thumbs down!!!

1) No team, just one woman. Makes a big difference.

2) Inaccurate results - the most important aspect. Everyone who had been working with him for a year even disagreed with her. We tried to discuss it and why we thought it was wrong based on functionality of behavior and she would have none of it. We were in denial, she said Rolling Eyes

. She even went so far to say that after evaluating him at age 3, he would never be normal, always in a special ed school. Maybe in middle or high school he would be able to mainstream. We went to a top neurologist specializing in ADHD a few weeks later that in a matter of minutes got to the bottom of what's up with him. One year waiting list and $850 an hour just to warn you

3) They tried to gyp us too! It's billed by the hour and said she had enough based on the hours she spent with him and us, but then she tried to charge us the full price for all the hours. When my husband started to question, she made a whole scene, screaming at my husband in front of a whole office of people, for trying to renege on payment because we didn't like the answers she gave. The head of the whole program apologized to us about this.

P.S. my son was totally misdiagnosed and it was clear a few weeks later with the proper diagnosis. Fast forward a year and a half and he is doing great and fully mainstreamed. Do we still have what to work on? Always, but bh most would not be able to tell any issues except that he is very active.

In conclusion, I believe a child study approach to be a great option but not with NYU.

amother

Wed, Feb 05 2014, 8:28 pm

amother wrote:

I appreciate your honest feedback. Who is the doctor that you saw thereafter? Do you know of any other child study programs?

amother

Thu, Feb 06 2014, 10:24 am

I went to NYU and had a great experience. After running around like crazy my daughter was finally put on the right med and her psychiatrist was fabulous! She really hit the nail on the head.

They have a choice of many doctors with various pricesbased on their level of experience. You can have a fellow, intern and a PHD. Ours was a fellow specializing in ADHD. I requested a specialist on ADHD and asked for.reference. I got eexcellent feedback bh and my daughter is a different kid.

Hatzlacha!

amother

Thu, Feb 06 2014, 11:11 am

amother wrote:

Thank you - that's very helpful. I do suspect that he has ADHD, but I don't want them to just throw away anything else that might be an issue. I will be talking to them a little later today. How much did the fellow cost? Did your insurance reimburse you at all?