Scheduling with Mary Camarata

[Anonymous]

I’ve left a few messages with no luck. Typically how long does it take to hear back for an in-person evaluation slot? My son has a Lang delay but so far no autism diagnosis (Evaluated at KKI). He just started preschool and he has an issue with hitting (same as home). Hoping she can provide some guidance. Already has IEP, private OT, speech.

[Anonymous]

Try the online scheduling on her website. That’s the only way to get hold of her. She is swamped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve left a few messages with no luck. Typically how long does it take to hear back for an in-person evaluation slot? My son has a Lang delay but so far no autism diagnosis (Evaluated at KKI). He just started preschool and he has an issue with hitting (same as home). Hoping she can provide some guidance. Already has IEP, private OT, speech.

Try KKI's outpatient behavioral clinic in Columbia, md.

[Anonymous]

If you are already a patient at KKI, it might be worth contacting them again to see where you could with them. The outpatient clinic in Columbia is great (we see our CARD Dr there). Once you are in their system it's easier to get referrals and appts.

[Anonymous]

You call every few days and eventually she will call you back. You can also call Dr. Camarata at Vanderbilt and try to get an appointment with him. Keep trying.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the feedback. We actually have been to the behavior clinic in Columbia a little over a year ago for head banging (in anger) and I could go back but it is a haul (basically means a whole half day off work/school). I also get the feeling from our DevPed there that they don't have much advice for DC supports/DCPS so I am also looking for something more local, especially since KKI doesn't think it's ASD. Any closer-to-DC DevPed (insurance or no) or behavior clinic advice would be welcome. Mary was the only lead I found in looking for guidance for DS.

[Anonymous]

Op, even if it’s not autism, yet you can use an aba therapist. Sometimes they are more easily found than behavioral therapists and the techniques between the two are very similar. Both rely on positive reinforcement. Read the Kazdin method if you haven’t already b/c that underscores a lot of behavioral therapiy methods.

[Anonymous]

They do mild behavioral but when you get into things like head banging that usually is more Asd than language issues. Call her and ask. Even with transportation it is cheaper than an evaluation here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They do mild behavioral but when you get into things like head banging that usually is more Asd than language issues. Call her and ask. Even with transportation it is cheaper than an evaluation here.

One, the kid is hitting. Two, seeing a behavioral therapist or ABA therapist would require several visits. The op's had an evaluation. She doesn't need a second.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try the online scheduling on her website. That’s the only way to get hold of her. She is swamped.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the feedback. We actually have been to the behavior clinic in Columbia a little over a year ago for head banging (in anger) and I could go back but it is a haul (basically means a whole half day off work/school). I also get the feeling from our DevPed there that they don't have much advice for DC supports/DCPS so I am also looking for something more local, especially since KKI doesn't think it's ASD. Any closer-to-DC DevPed (insurance or no) or behavior clinic advice would be welcome. Mary was the only lead I found in looking for guidance for DS.

Try David Black's group at caatonline.com or the outreach program at The Ivymount School.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try the online scheduling on her website. That’s the only way to get hold of her. She is swamped.

This. Go to the website, book a time in the schedule and she will call you or tell you how to reach her.

[Anonymous]

Generally if a provider is this hard to reach, it is a sign that you will be left alone without assistance once you’ve had the office visit.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I’ve left a few messages with no luck. Typically how long does it take to hear back for an in-person evaluation slot? My son has a Lang delay but so far no autism diagnosis (Evaluated at KKI). He just started preschool and he has an issue with hitting (same as home). Hoping she can provide some guidance. Already has IEP, private OT, speech.

Try KKI's outpatient behavioral clinic in Columbia, md.

They did, read the post.

I did. Apparently you didn't.

They got an evaluation at KKI in Baltimore. The behavioral clinic is separate and would be a good place to start with a behavioral issue like hitting. Or op try an ABA therapist who can come to your home. Read the Kazdin method. I doubt Mary will be very useful to you.

When we saw the Camaratas we brought the school behavior plan, which was very punitive. He told me that it would make things much worse and encouraged us to get a positive behavior support plan. The school was pissed when we returned and told them what Dr. Camarata said. But they brought someone from the outside in to do the positive plan.

The positive behavior plan worked the first day. Years of getting several phone calls a week stopped.

Everything the Camaratas noted of my child's temperament, learning style and how to best help him remain true 10 years later. They figured it out within 20 minutes of meeting him.

Positive behavior plans are always preferable. It's something the school should know and most behaviorists will tell you.

You live in la-la land. I am functioning here on planet Earth. No, most schools prefer the punishment mosel, unfortunately.

I did not insult you, why do you insult me? I said the school SHOULD know it. I didn't say they DO know it.

But if you spent years with an ineffective behavior plan a local behaviorist could have easily figured out the problem and corrected it.

Sorry to be rude. I felt your comment was a slight. The truth is we struggled to find anyone local (we are not in the DC. Area now) and then our arrogant school district made it clear they knew everything and didn't really want to work with anyone outside.

But when we spent 4 hours on a behavioral plan with the school team, being bullied by the school psychologist for a punitive behavior plan, only to have Dr. Camarata throw it out in about 30 seconds, the district finally relented.

I never miss as an opportunity to remind them of their mistake and I have barred that psycho pysch from coming near my kid.

I am sorry too, I did not mean to slight you. If you can't find anyone local, that's a good reason to travel to see someone. Also, sorry about your school psychologist, she sounds unusually difficult. My experiences haven't been so bad.

DC area is fortunate to have some good providers. For OP, she does not need to travel to see Mary Camarata, especially when she is too busy to respond to new clients and can't offer ongoing support anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve left a few messages with no luck. Typically how long does it take to hear back for an in-person evaluation slot? My son has a Lang delay but so far no autism diagnosis (Evaluated at KKI). He just started preschool and he has an issue with hitting (same as home). Hoping she can provide some guidance. Already has IEP, private OT, speech.

Try KKI's outpatient behavioral clinic in Columbia, md.

She's at KKI? I thought she and her husband were based out of somewhere far south?