Frequently Asked Questions

Medication is one of several tools that can help support your child. It is never the only option, and decisions are made together with families.For ADHD:Medications can help with focus, impulse control, and organizationMany children experience meaningful improvement in school and daily lifeWe monitor closely for effectiveness and side effectsFor anxiety:Therapy is often the first stepMedication may be helpful when anxiety is significantly interfering with daily functioningIn all cases:We start low and adjust graduallyWe partner with you to decide what feels right for your childOngoing follow-up ensures your child is doing well

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan is designed to support children who need extra help at school.Key points:An IEP provides specialized instruction, individualized goals, and services (like speech or occupational therapy)A 504 plan provides accommodations (like extra time, movement breaks, or seating changes) to support access to learningBoth are developed through a team process that includes parents, teachers, and school staffYou are an important part of the team and have a voice in decisionsWe can help:Interpret school evaluationsProvide recommendations for supportsDoes my child need an IEP or a 504 plan?An IEP may be a better fit if your child:Is behind academically or not making expected progressNeeds specialized instruction (not just accommodations)Requires therapies at school (speech, occupational therapy, etc.)A 504 plan may be a better fit if your child:Is keeping up academically but needs support to access learningBenefits from accommodations like extra time, breaks, or seating changesHas medical, attention, or anxiety-related challenges impacting schoolIf you’re unsure, we can help guide you based on your child’s specific needs.

Families may contact OKC Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics directly, or a child’s primary care provider may send a referral.Before scheduling, we ask that the following information be submitted:Completed new patient intake packetRelevant medical recordsPrevious developmental, psychological, neuropsychological, or educational evaluations Any other records that may help us better understand your child’s developmental, behavioral, or learning needs Once we receive the completed intake information and pertinent records, our office will contact you to schedule your child’s first appointment.At the time of scheduling, a credit card will be placed securely on file to reserve the appointment. Because we set aside a significant amount of time specifically for each patient and family, a fee will be charged for missed appointments or appointments canceled without adequate notice.

We know coming in for an evaluation can feel overwhelming. Our goal is to make the process clear, supportive, and helpful.Most evaluations include:A detailed conversation about your child’s development, behavior, and your concernsTime observing and interacting with your childReview of school reports, prior evaluations, and therapiesQuestionnaires from parents and sometimes teachersIn some cases, we may complete targeted testing to better understand your child’s development, attention, or learning profile. At times, we may also recommend a comprehensive psychological or educational evaluation for more in-depth testing, which is typically completed by a psychologist.At the end of the process, we will:Share our impressions with youAnswer your questionsProvide clear, practical recommendationsSend a written report you can share with school or other providers

A little preparation can go a long way in helping your child feel comfortable.Helpful tips:Keep it simple: “We’re going to meet a doctor who helps kids learn and grow.”Avoid building it up as something scary or overly seriousBring comfort items (favorite toy, snack, device if helpful)Bring glasses, hearing aids, or communication devices if your child uses themTry to have your child well-rested and fed before the visitFor younger children, it’s okay if they don’t fully understand, our team is experienced in meeting kids where they are.

We accept all major credit cards and debit cards. A valid credit or debit card must be kept on file for all patients. Cash, personal checks, and cashier’s checks are not accepted.

OKC Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics (OKC DBP) is a private-pay, out-of-network practice and does not bill insurance or managed-care plans directly. Payment is due to OKC DBP at the time of service.Upon request, we can provide an itemized billing statement (superbill) containing applicable diagnosis and procedure codes that you may submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Depending on your plan, you may be reimbursed for a portion of the cost; however, coverage and reimbursement vary widely and cannot be guaranteed by OKC DBP.OKC DBP does not verify out-of-network benefits, obtain insurance authorizations, submit insurance claims or appeals, or communicate with insurance companies regarding reimbursement.We recommend contacting your insurance company before your appointment to ask about your out-of-network benefits, reimbursement requirements, and whether a referral is required for reimbursement.

Appointment times are reserved specifically for each patient and are not double-booked. Because extended appointment and testing times are reserved for your child, we require at least 24 business hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Appointments canceled or rescheduled with less than 24 business hours’ notice, or missed without notice, will be charged the full scheduled appointment fee to the credit card on file. Repeated late cancellations or missed appointments may result in termination of care.

Medication refill requests must be submitted at least 2 business days before medication runs out. Refills are processed Monday–Thursday and are not routinely processed on Fridays, nights, weekends, or holidays. Patients receiving medication must attend recommended follow-up visits and complete appropriate monitoring. Early replacement of lost, stolen, or prematurely used controlled medication is not guaranteed. Medication must be taken only as prescribed.