- ANNUAL CHECKUP (AGES 3-21)
Beginning at age 3, we would like to see each child for an
annual physical exam. This is a comprehensive exam where, in addition to medical problems and management, we
explore how our patients are progressing in other important areas: at home, in school and with friends. During middle school and teenage years we pay particular attention to each child’s academic progress, social development and emotional adjustment.
Although most insurance plans cover an annual physical, you should contact your carrier to determine whether your coverage is based on the plan year or the calendar year.
Whenever possible,
a parent should accompany a child under 18 years of age to well visits to facilitate first-hand communication between doctor and parent, and to authorize the necessary immunizations. A caregiver’s permission is acceptable at either a sick or well visit only if a parent has completed a Consent To Treat form to authorize treatment.
- WELL VISITS: (NEWBORN-AGE 3)
Our practice follows the American Academy of Pediatrics’
recommended schedule for well child care. During the first three years of life, our primary focus during well visits is to monitor each child’s growth and development, identify and treat developmental or medical problems, give routine childhood immunizations and provide education and guidance to parents. Topics we commonly discuss include nutrition, sleep questions, speech development, toilet training, school readiness, sibling and family issues, as well as the normal developmental expectations for each stage of early childhood. When you schedule these visits well in advance, you may request your physician of choice.
- CONSULTS
For consult visits, a physician first meets alone with the parent(s) then with the patient
at a subsequent visit if
necessary. Typically, consults are scheduled for problems such as:
- Behavior problems
- School readiness
- Academic difficulties (LD, ADHD)
- Parental separation, divorce
- Age specific adjustment problems
- Emotional or psychiatric issues
- Eating disorders
- Foreign travel
Book a travel consult at least 6 weeks prior to departure; know which countries and regions within each country your child plans to visit. If traveling with a group that has specific recommendations or requirements, bring all necessary paperwork to your appointment. Recommended prescriptions and any necessary vaccinations will be given at the visit. If we do not have a required vaccine, we will refer you to a local travel clinic such as Passport Health.
- SICK VISITS
Each weekday, we are prepared to see a sick child who should be examined that day. Call our reception staff early in the day to request a same day appointment with the next available pediatrician. Although we will make every effort to schedule your child’s sick visit with the doctor of your choice, the schedule may not always permit this. Sick visits for chronic complaints usually require more physician time than an acute problem. When you call, please tell the scheduler if the problem has been recent or long standing. For a chronic problem a nurse may call you to obtain some background history before the visit.
- WALK-IN HOURS
In our Stamford office ONLY, we offer walk-in hours for established patients who need a brief focused visit (e.g. rash, sore throat, earache) on Monday through Friday
between 8:15-9:00 am. New patients or patients with chronic complaints require a regularly scheduled office visit. New Canaan patients are welcome in the Stamford office during walk-in hours. There are no walk-in hours on weekends or holidays.
