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How can I make an appointment for my child/adult at the Center?
To make an appointment at the Center, simply call the office at 610-402-0184 and leave a message stating you're interested in having your child or adult evaluated. One of the office staff will return your call and obtain the information necessary to fill in our "intake sheet". Within a few days, our scheduler will call, discuss available appointment times and schedule the evaluation.
What can we expect after we have our appointment date?
After your appointment has been made, you will receive a packet in the mail which will include a brochure, cover letter, medical release forms, questioner, EPDSC membership form and self-addressed, stamped envelope. Please fill out the survey and return it to the Center, in addition to the completed membership form, check for $15 (if you chose to become a member) and a copy, front and back, of all your family member's insurance card(s). The medical release forms need to be mailed out to any physicians, specialists, therapists or educators your child or adult works with so that those individuals can send your family member's information into the Center. Please don't hesitate to call the office with any questions you may have concerning any of the forms. Paperwork can be confusing and overwhelming!
How long can we expect our appointment to last?
Generally, your appointment with our physician, coordinators and occupational therapist will last approximately one and one-half hours. If you have questions or concerns that extend beyond the appointment time, one of the coordinators can continue to address your concerns or you can schedule some time to you meet with the coordinators on another day. There is no fee associated with scheduling an appointment with the Coordinators or our Administrative Coordinator.
What happens during an appointment?
The hour-and-one-half appointment time is dedicated to addressing your questions and/or concerns about your family member with Down syndrome. Before you come into the Center, our staff reviews the medical records so that we're familiar with the issues on paper. The day of the appointment, we start by asking which issues are most important to you so that you leave with your concerns being addressed. A physical exam is completed and a consultation discussing the findings occurs. While we're talking and reviewing the Down Syndrome Health Care Guidelines, our occupational therapist is screening your family member and will offer commentary/advice, if appropriate. The time passes very quickly!
Can we take other family members with us to our appointment?
Absolutely! Part of the mission of the Eastern PA Down Syndrome Center is to educate the public at large about Down syndrome. Family members are often the best advocates and want to learn all they can about Down syndrome. Grandmas and Grandpas, and aunts and uncles, and good friends have all attended appointments. Where young brothers and sisters are concerned, our feeling is that if you need to attend to the other children's' needs, your missing out on information that may be vital to your child with Down syndrome's success. If your other child(ren) can be quietly entertained and non-disruptive, feel free to bring them along. You know your child better than we do. Be we strongly feel that parents get more out of an appointment when they are focused on their child with Ds and not distracted by having other young children in the room.
Do I need a referral to be seen at the Center?
Coming to the Center is like seeing any specialist. If you need a referral for a specialist appointment, you'll need a referral for your appointment at the Center.
What types of insurance does the EPDSC accept?
The Center accepts almost all types of in-state insurance. See our Insurance page for a current listing. You can call Susan, our Administrative Coordinator, for specific questions on insurance. She's very knowledgeable and will be glad to answer all of your questions.
Can you tell me what types of resources are available through EPDSC?
Glad you asked! The Eastern PA Down Syndrome Center has the most extensive Down syndrome library in the area. Our library includes periodicals, articles, books, audiocassette tapes, videotapes and most recently, DVD's. Except for the periodicals, all of our materials can be taken out for two weeks at a time. You can call to let us know you'd like to come in and see our library, or on your appointment day, you may borrow any of our resources you'd like.
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