UAMS Health - James L. Dennis Developmental Center - Little Rock, Arkansas

Helen P.

How do you claim to be a "pediatric developmental center" yet you boot a service animal? Who, mind you, is 14 years old, was leashed, very well behaved, 10lbs, and I had her badge. None of you deserve jobs with children when you clearly don't understand the benefits of service animals. Sketchy doctors, less than decent parking, cold dirty waiting rooms with a TV loud enough to wake the dead... do better or just don't do any of it. Disgusted with driving TWO HOURS, waiting over an hour past our appointment time before you even acknowledged we were there... disgusted. Thanks for making a disabled person's visit terrible. And the boy that followed me to the door like I stole something?! Absolutely DISGUSTED. BBB will be getting this review also.

Krystal M.

I feel this place is not looking out for the best interests of children! They refuse to even test an unmedicated child! Instead they want you to give them the medication to change their natural behaviors and thought process and then test them for autism therefore receiving inaccurate results! And then they have the nerve to tell you “there are no second opinions, this is it.” They would not give him the proper autism diagnosis that his family, doctors, school therapists and everyone around him sees on a daily basis! They would only say he has “autistic characteristics”. This prevents them from having to provide the child with any additional treatment. If you have another option for having your child tested for autism I would suggest you take it! We are now working with a team that is going above and beyond to provide him with the support and testing that this place refused!

Ashtyn L.

My son was initially suppose to be seen at his school & circumstances out of my control (stomach virus of another one of my children) apparently caused him not to be "observed." When contacting DDC (per usual) I was told I would be contacted within 48 hours - never occurred. When he was rescheduled for said observation, it was two month out. We arrived early that morning with over an hour commute and under the impression as outlined in the paperwork that this could take hours & to be prepared. My son & I were escorted back to a room where I basically went over the paperwork for thirty minutes THEN AND ONLY THEN informed his evaluations would not occur for another 3-6 months, well into the new year. Quite frankly, this "appointment" could have been done over the phone on the initially scheduled date without me missing work, my son missing school & therapy, & further prolonging the process. As an early interventionist, I did not appreciate DDC saying that my son may just be "severely delayed " without truly evaluating him until I pointed out the number of developmental goals my son can complete which only then prompted DDC to make this note. It is now 6 weeks later. We have not received a secondary appointment date but DDC was prompt in one thing: the bill.

Connor S.

We waited over a year for my two youngest children to be seen. I was told repeatedly that it would take between 8 to 10 hours for their evaluations. The staff was very nice the DR was polite but that was the end of the good part of this facility. We waited maybe 20 mins to go back there was absolutely no time for this DR to have went over even one of my children large packets of paperwork. I brought everything from their school both of their evaluations for their different therapies everything they would need. The vist did not not even remotely go as I was told it would there was no team there was no individual observation screening. We were only asked questions and were done within 2 hours. She said both of my children had adhd and my son also had an anxiety disorder. Was told there would be no second vist. I feel like all concerns from me their doctor and other medical personnel that they see was ignored. I was mad to feel like I was a stupid country bumpkin that didn’t know
My own children’s needs. When their DR called to ask for a second evaluation and a second opinion she was told that was the only visit they were getting and their diagnosis was final. This place is a joke and seems like they just wanted us out as soon as possible. We were disregarded. She said my daughter didn’t show “Classic” symptoms and I have done enough research for girls with autism to know that they mask it.if that is all they go off then why was my son given an adhd diagnosis when he does show classic symptoms. I even brought this up and was just looked at like I was an idiot. I would not be recommending this facility to anyone. We are currently awaiting referral to a different facility in jonesboro. This facility completely brushed off all concerns without even properly going over their files from other therapist and DRs.

Jodi G.

My child was diagnosed with ADHD and Autism in October. Took almost 2 years to finally get an appointment, was told paperwork will be sent though mail and the only mail sent said my child has to be re evaluated due to failure of returning paperwork which I NEVER received. The staff is nice...they put me at a loss...right when I thought my child is going to get the help she needs...if I could rate -6 I would

Kimberly B.

I brought my daughter to the DDC when she was 10 yrs old and her care extended until she turned 18. Today I went with my daughter to have my granddaughter evaluated. The staff is amazing and they made us feel like we were the only folks there. There was a team of four doctors and their evaluation was spot on. I would recommend this office if you suspect your child is in need. You might have a wait to get in because they are very busy.

Amy P.

We began trying to get our son in to see a pediatric neuropsych in 3/2022 and were aware it took approximately 6 months to be seen. Our son was seen 11/2022 and we were never informed before arriving for the appointment, an hour and a half from our home, that the neuropsych had left their practice and they'd subsequently changed his appt to a regular psychologist. It's now 9/2023 and I get a random bill from Children's University Med Group-an unknown entity in all this. Turns out they've only billed us for partial services and it took almost another year for them to bill the second bit. When I call to get info on this randomly appearing bill, I'm told they've been "fighting" with our insurance to get my sons service covered. Meaning they sent in the wrong diagnosis code and had to try several, but billing let it sit in a pile for weeks to months at a time. Almost 18 months from beginning the process of getting him seen, we're finally done with that center, which I recently found out is still booking pediatric neuropsych appointments knowing the neuropsych is at a different facility. Please be aware the only pediatric neuropsych I've heard of in Arkansas is currently in Arkansas Children's Neurology center.

Also, the psych herself was only with my son for 30-45 minutes before telling me he has ADHD. I asked if it could be related to his previous diagnosis because he has known brain damage from a stroke at birth. After a few minutes of back and forth, she basically said nope and that was the end. He's already on brain altering meds for his resulting epilepsy and we don't want to put him on any other meds, so refused ADHD meds and I had to listen to 30 minutes of why he wouldn't be put on a stimulant and we should prepare to put him on meds as he gets older. Any/all questions I had about the possibility of this diagnosis relating to his medical history was brushed off because she didn't know. The neuropsych didn't know every aspect either, but he was able to correlate issues and infer possible outcomes based on his training and education., you know, the whole reason we wanted him seen by a neuropsych and not a psychologist. Our son's pediatrician and neurologist both warned us that a child psych would likely slap a label on him and not try to delve deeper and that's exactly what they did while trying to push us out the door as quickly as possible. Then the report I was told I would receive within 2 weeks didn't arrive until a couple of weeks before he saw the actual neuropsych in 2/23. It was an overall disappointing appointment and to still be getting charges 10+ months after being seen with zero context as to what the bill is for on the statement is just jaw dropping.

Truthful H.

I want everyone to know that is thinking or planning a appointment for any developmental diagnosis or therapies this is a long process. My son is 6 years old and has been working with specialist since he was under 3 years old. It took 6 months to even get a appointment at a autism diagnosis clinic that wasn't even in this state but another state. It doesn't matter the location the system is not setup for the overwhelming amount of children with medical disorders, learning disabilities or mental illnesses. Please be patient It took over a year for my son's diagnosis and he still at the age of 6 is developing different diagnosis that come with age and knowledge. Please understand no one is putting you off and the best thing to do is start your own studying and make sure you have everything documented from the way they started walking to the littlest things of milestones the time they started. Have your list ready. These appointments take up to 2 to 3 hours sometimes so yes time getting in depends on your reports of your child being completed to a T and very few areas per state do testing so feel lucky you have a appointment. Books I recommend studying are The reason I jump the inner voice of a 13 year old boy with Autism and autism for dummies quick studies before you jump into this long process. I have had my son in therapy since he was 3 and also went to early development intervention before diagnosis get other resources before this journey. I can tell you this the staff here is amazing I know because this isn't my first rodeo I have experience due to having a child on the spectrum. Mrs. Watson is on top of her game and if you have your ducks in a row will be the most outstanding help for you and your child. Document how and what they eat, interaction, interests, social skills, habits and details are key to better evaluation and faster appointment once again. Pack a lunch for your child it's a long appointment sometimes they get hungry 😆