Pediatric Neurologist Recommendation Los Angeles/Orange County Area

Updated on March 03, 2012
M.M. asks from Los Angeles, CA
4 answers

Hi Moms/Dads.

I am looking for a referral to a neurologist for my 4 year old sonwho has developmental delays and language delays, and some strange behaviors (ie. flicking his hands in front of his face). We have had him evaluated with a developmental pediatrician who did not provide too much insight, pretty much just a threshold evaluator for developmental milestones. We have had his hearing and eyesight checked and both came back normal. He is in a special needs preschool. I asked our pediatrician for a recommendation and she referred us to someone who is out of network for our insurance, but we have pretty good insurance so I would think I would be able to find someone in network. Also, she has stated that UCLA has a 6-9 month back log for assessments. When I bring up my insurance provider's database there are a ton of meurologists but I am not sure which one would see because of my son's issue, I pretty much want to rule out things like absence seizures and the sort. I would prefer the los angeles area but would drive to orange county (my parents live out there) if there was a good one to see.
thanks

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So What Happened?

thanks mom for all the referrals. These names are good resource for me. As I was waiting for answers to these questions, I found a neurologist that would take us this coming Friday. They also did not require tons of paperwork from my pediatrician, they just let us make the appt. Some of the neurologists that I have called have required medical records from my pediatrician. Well, aside from my sons developmental delays and strange behaviors, there is nothing to suggest medically that he needs a neurologist, so who knows if they would even see me. I am going to neurologist to rule out any underlying neurologically basis for his delays.
Yes, our developmental pediatrician has not give us a diagnosis because she is not sure what his issues, she thinks they are too complex right now to make a diagnosis. The only comment that was made was that she does not feel he is autistic. We have another appt in a couple of months and we will see how that goes. She did make some suggestions for my son, but because I do so much reading I was well aware of them.
And moms, here is the neurologist that we are seeing, Dr. Charles Niesen in Pasadena (also has an office in Beverly Hills) and the number is ###-###-####. Front office was very friendly and helpful, hopefully the appt goes well. I will use some of the referrals that you moms gave me in case I am not happy with this appt or I need a second opinion.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

I agree with Dr Cokely for the neuro exan; however I am very surprised that the developmental pediatrician could not give you answers as I think that it is clear and he/she should have giving you a diagnosis. I would try another dev ped if you can not get an immediate neuro appointment. Dr. Batra is the best but and to get an appt but work a try. Good Luck! Feel free to email me if you have other questions

Penny Amic CEO/Clinical Director
Special Beginnings,
An Early Intervention Network
____@____.com

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Dr. Jean Lake and Dr. Mary Kay Dyes in Long Beach are both great (Dr. Lake is my son's neurologist) and have good bedside manners (a hard thing to find in a neurologist!). They also both offer ambulatory EEGs (so that you can do your son's EEG at home instead of a hospital).

Feel free to send me a private message if you'd like to chat. I've been through every specialist and every intervention with my now 8 year old for the past 6 years, so I have a pretty good network or referrals and support if you need them.

Good luck & good for you for being proactive!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi,
Funny, I just had to call my pediatrician last week to get a referral. The first doctor that was recommended I called and could not get an appt until 7/31. My daughter is having severe headaches (a freshman in high school) so that wasn't really working for us. I called back and they gave me the name of another (actually a group and all doctors are good). The phone number is ###-###-####. My daughter has an appt with Dr. Dyer on 3/27. Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

When I was researching pediatric neurologists for my son, I came across Harriet Cokely who got great reviews from various sites:

Harriet T Cokely, MD
2222 SANTA MONICA BLVD STE 402
SANTA MONICA, CA90404
Phone: ###-###-####

I ended up not going to a neurologist as my son's tics went away but she might be worth a shot.

1 mom found this helpful
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