For OC Kids

The Dr diagnosed my daughter with Autism. It was clear that they were the best in the OC.

This office was very helpful in terms of getting a diagnosis and Dr. Joseph Donnelly is AMAZING and our child adores him! He gets a full five stars for being a great neurologist! BUT the initial service here aka receptionists and Brenda the referral person you are to speak to is HORRIBLE. They are rude, abrupt, and have no interest in your child. They sound bored when you call in and do not make any effort to help you get general questions answered and if you want to complain, ok well leave a vm on Brenda’s desk. WHO NEVER CALLS BACK. Our recent visit was very disheartening as we sat and waited to be seen and the receptionist who was bilingual, was obviously talking on the phone with her husband in Spanish (which I understand) and was putting calls on hold to continue on her conversation. Then FINALLY gets off her ass to give our file to the nurse, after we had been sitting there waiting awhile while the underpaid bitter staff carries on their life on office time. I believe Donnelly should FIRE the whole staff and I am willing to bet that there are a whole lot of parents with children with autism who would gladly work there or VOLUNTEER to help. Patty another receptionist is also VERY rude and I believe should be fired. So for parents who think of this place, if you are willing to brave the lazy bitter staff to get to the neurologists, then you’ll have a great experience with the help THEY gave. Not the receptionists/​staff/​although the nurse is sweet! There is a waitlist, but that is probably due to the staff not caring enough. I believe Donnelly is too nice to fire the lazy bitter receptionists but if he reads this I hope he does! I am NOT THE ONLY PARENT WHO FEELS THIS WAY ABOUT FOROCKIDS! I hope for this facility that staff is changed and our children’s best interest taken into consideration.

Before my Son reached 20 months in 2007, I researched local resources for Autism Intervention in an effort to be prepared for what I believe, affected my Son. I recognized oddities very early on and later, delays that were relevant with the disorder. For OC Kids seemed to be the best option in Orange County and most abundant with resources at the time. I quickly learned that many of their Neurologists had a wait list months long. One of them being Dr. Filipek, who is a tiger in the field of Autism. She came highly recommended to me by a couple friends who work with delayed children. So I got my appointment 3 ½ months out just before my Son’s second Birthday. Beforehand, I followed the necessary steps through the Regional Center and had the evaluations done before seeing Dr. Filipek. Already, I knew my Son was delayed in three areas by more than 30%. Yet still, no one confirmed my fears.
Our appointment was about two hours long. Dr. Filipek was very direct and questioned me thoroughly. She reviewed his Regional Center and third party evaluations all while analyzing my Son’s behavior as he moved about the room tinker with toys, etc. She intervened often while my Son physically pulled for my attention and even tried communicating with him. At that time, my Son barely said a few words. He mainly used hand over hand gestures (leading to his interest). She used toys as a means to test him in a variety of areas. Even at this time, I found myself making excuses for his behavior and apologizing as I always did since he was a baby. Dr. Filipek left for a while and returned with her evaluation results. I remember it vividly to this day. She went over the areas of delay, pointed out her concerns and directly said to me that he had Autism. In that moment, I went blank! A little shocked, but relieved at the same time. I started crying and thanked her for validating what I believed to be true all along. I went through almost two years of being criticized and second guessed by family and some friends. Dr. Filipek immediately comforted me and gave me a plan. I left that office with a mission and that’s what every parent should experience when they seek help such as this! A PLAN!
When my second child was born in 2008, she became a part of the Early Infant Screening Project funded by the state of California and directed by Dr. Filipek. For two years of my Daughters life, I shuffled her there freely to be monitored. I learned allot and was warned that most often, siblings of older children with autism often mimic some of the behaviors. At the end of the project, Dr. Filipek advised me that she believed my Daughter was also on the spectrum. I didn’t believe her! She talked, engaged everyone, etc. However, it was the rigidness of my Daughter and ways of play that signaled the team. So we had her fully evaluated by another team of specialists, but she passed with flying colors. My Daughter is now almost four years old and I can say I think she was right! Although smart and very social, her behavior does mirror that of my Son, who is high functioning. So, we will see.
Dr. Filipek is no longer in Orange County, but a great team still exist and Dr. Donnelly still heads the department. We go every year for a follow up and see Teri Book, RN who helps facilitate a plan of action, provides guidance and directs you to reputable sources. For OC Kids is truly an advocate for children on the spectrum and serves the community actively providing allot of resources and free seminars to help educate parents.
I apologize that this review was LONG! For those of us with children on the spectrum, every detail is important. You want a team,…not a single pioneer!