CoBALT Clinic Opens

A parent wants the best possible care for their child, and a parent knows when something just isn’t right. Often times it takes months, even years, to fully assess and diagnose certain conditions that may effect a child’s development such as autism and other complex developmental or behavioral issues.

If a primary care physician suspects certain disorders they generally refer a child to The Dennis Developmental Center (DDC) for a complete evaluation. However, this is where the frustration for a parent and a child begins. Even with a physician’s referral it can take 6-9 months or longer for evaluation at DDC and then the redirection of a child to receive the appropriate services. The waiting list is so long because many children are referred to the center. To serve the community better, Mountain View Clinic in Mena has partnered with UAMS to create the CoBALT Clinic-a Community-Based Autism Liaison and Treatment project. The idea behind the alliance is to provide quicker diagnosis and treatment for a child. A child that has been referred to the clinic by their primary care physician will evaluated by a team made up of Dr. Ron Beckel and Kelly Dotson, APRN.

The goal of the team is to diagnose developmental disorders that are not autism. This diagnosis will eliminate a child’s visit to the DDC and direct them to the best appropriate care. Children that are directed to the DDC by the CoBALT Clinic will be “fast-tracked” at the center because their preliminary evaluations and services have already began. For more information or to find a primary care provider call the Mountain View CoBALT Clinic at 479-394-7301.