I know this is an old thread, but she's still practicing, so maybe someone else will find this useful--we love Dr. Barnes. She was super supportive when my baby lost too much weight after birth. She doesn't talk a lot about development, but if you watch, you can see that she is watching your baby closely. I remember an early well-baby visit, and her first question was, "So, brag about your baby," and it was a way to get us to tell her about all the milstone stuff. She asked a few follow-up questions.

I remember another visit when she stepped out into the waiting area for a minute and heard my daughter babbling away. She smiled and said, "Oh, I love to hear that," and I could tell she was filing away that information about my kid's development. She notices things about my daughter before we are even in the exam room--she noticed her walking backward on one visit and commented that it was a little early or ahead of the norm. When I was concerned that my daughter didn't have a lot of words, she commented on the "words" she had heard while I was changing a diaper. She's definitely paying attention to your child.

I've always found the staff friendly enough. Sometimes I get charged for the school forms, and sometimes not. I've never paid for an after-hours call. Sometimes there is a wait, but it's almost always because they were squeezing in a sick kid, which is pretty common in a ped practice, and they've always been great about getting us in the same day when our kid was sick.

We love Dr. Barnes.

I have three children (22, 19 and 16) and Dr. Barnes has been their pediatrician for the past 21 years. She and her staff are awesome. They have been with her for 20 years (so that alone says alot). Dr. Barnes takes her time to with patients to determine potential problems of your visit. She always ask my teenagers do they feel comfortable with me in the office when she inquires about any sexual activity during their annual physical exams. She is very well-rounded, considerate and professional. I am going to hate when my 16 year old turns 21.............no more pediatric visits to Dr. Barnes.

I think she sounds like a good fit for you, OP. This is your first baby, right? She is a good mix of laid back and vigilant at the same time. I like her nearly as much as the pediatrician I had with my first (who I loved and sadly we moved away from), and I've tried three in between!

OP here - I'm not anxious, I just know it's a reality and I'm not going to be all naive about it, you know? too many people self diagnose and too many ignore signs because their snowlake is perfect. I just know it's something we should look out for an be realistic about.

My husband has other things outside of "policy wonk", though

PS ... I am sure that 3 out of 5 male policy wonks in DC could be typed as mild aspies my dh is the same way. I am on the lookout too, but I have concluded that in our case it is more of a personality type with a lot of benefits than something to be pathologized.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I'm worried about it because my husband probably has Aspergers (was born before it was more frequently diagnosed, if he were a 10 year old today, he would probably be considered mild aspy), so we are going to keep an eye on it. Nothing about google, just something we are focused on monitoring for as early as possible.
we are NOT anti-vac people - especially my husband. We aren't "crunchy", though I'd like to avoid overmedicating my kid!
But it's good to know she asks such questions - sounds like we'll stick with her as a choice for now!

Parking isn't an issue, we'll take the bus/walk/cab.

thanks for the feedback, everyone!

Then I actually think she would be a great choice for you because as a solo she is going to see your baby at every well baby visit and she will be able to keep track of his development.

As a side note, I do recommend keeping an eye on your medical anxiety re autism. It is incredibly easy to freak yourself out about it needlessly (and your baby isn't even born!) If you are hypervigilant about it and are searching for clues on the Internet you will make yourself miserable. Better to find a good ped you trust (and dr Barnes is a great choice) and keep things in perspective.

OP here - I'm worried about it because my husband probably has Aspergers (was born before it was more frequently diagnosed, if he were a 10 year old today, he would probably be considered mild aspy), so we are going to keep an eye on it. Nothing about google, just something we are focused on monitoring for as early as possible.
we are NOT anti-vac people - especially my husband. We aren't "crunchy", though I'd like to avoid overmedicating my kid!
But it's good to know she asks such questions - sounds like we'll stick with her as a choice for now!

Parking isn't an issue, we'll take the bus/walk/cab.

thanks for the feedback, everyone!