Re: Reviews about Dr. Dunbar (Floortime Atlanta) needed.

[Guest guest]

We have been to Dr. Dunbar for an initial evalution, 5 years ago, and then

returned for follow-ups. She spends approximately 2 hours with the parents and

child, and is very good at identifying the child's specific needs. She will ask

questions of the parents and watch the child interact with parents, with her,

with toys, and other behaviors. I would say that the answer to all of your

questions is " yes " . She was able to identify both my son's strengths and

weaknesses, and she was able to make very specific suggestions about ways to

deal with them. The issue of what " label " she might place on the child is not

an easy one to answer. Labels, in Dr. Dunbar's opinion, have little use, except

to help with filing insurance claims, or getting other benefits. She will look

more specifically at the child's areas of concern (auditory processing, fine or

gross motor skills, visual-spatial processing, etc.). The DIR Approach

specifically targets those areas, and she is very good at examining each of

those needs, and assessing the strengths and/or weaknesses in those areas.

So, yes, she is worth the wait and worth the money. Your friend will not get a

more thorough, helpful evaluation elsewhere. We've been to others (Marcus

Institute, neurologists, etc.), and she was the only one who provided specific,

helpful suggestions.

Reviews about Dr. Dunbar (Floortime Atlanta) needed.

>

>Dear All,

>

>First, I'm sorry I'm coming here with several questions relating the

>same thing; it's just that I want to make sure my point gets across

>correctly.

>I have a friend with 4 y/o child. The child hasn't been diagnosed

>yet, but the only thing for sure is that the child is NOT on the

>spectrum. I personally met the child and all I can say is that he is

>very social, warm and compassionate with everybody including his

>peers. My friend is suspecting that maybe her son's challenges could

>be related to Auditory Processing issues (APD maybe)Â… She'd love to

>get some reviews about Dr. Dunbar's evaluations. Here some questions:

>

>- How are the evaluations with Dr. Dunbar? How much time does

>she spends with the patient? What type of things does she do before

>she makes any conclusion? How satisfied are the parents with Dr.

>Dunbar's assessment? Does she get to understand easily the child's

>challenges? Does she look at the whole picture of the child closely

>and neutrally: the good and the bad?

>- If we were talking about a child who potentially has ONLY

>APD, do you think that Dr. Dunbar is talented enough to clearly

>identify the difference between PDD-NOS vs. APD only?? And after the

>diagnosis is given, would Doctor Dunbar offer individualized guidance

>in how to work with that child through Floortime, OT or any other

>method she may find helpful? What I mean with this last question is

>that when she evaluates a child, would Dr. Dunbar make sure that the

>parents go back to home with a very good idea in how to work with the

>child and help the child to outcome his challenges?

>

>My friend would love to get feedback from parents who have used Dr.

>Dunbar specifically for evaluation, because in the archives I read

>that she is awesome with the training, but couldn't find anything

>related specifically to evaluations.

>

>Any input here will be greatly appreciated!

>

>--

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

We have been to Dr. Dunbar for an initial evalution, 5 years ago, and then

returned for follow-ups. She spends approximately 2 hours with the parents and

child, and is very good at identifying the child's specific needs. She will ask

questions of the parents and watch the child interact with parents, with her,

with toys, and other behaviors. I would say that the answer to all of your

questions is " yes " . She was able to identify both my son's strengths and

weaknesses, and she was able to make very specific suggestions about ways to

deal with them. The issue of what " label " she might place on the child is not

an easy one to answer. Labels, in Dr. Dunbar's opinion, have little use, except

to help with filing insurance claims, or getting other benefits. She will look

more specifically at the child's areas of concern (auditory processing, fine or

gross motor skills, visual-spatial processing, etc.). The DIR Approach

specifically targets those areas, and she is very good at examining each of

those needs, and assessing the strengths and/or weaknesses in those areas.

So, yes, she is worth the wait and worth the money. Your friend will not get a

more thorough, helpful evaluation elsewhere. We've been to others (Marcus

Institute, neurologists, etc.), and she was the only one who provided specific,

helpful suggestions.

Reviews about Dr. Dunbar (Floortime Atlanta) needed.

>

>Dear All,

>

>First, I'm sorry I'm coming here with several questions relating the

>same thing; it's just that I want to make sure my point gets across

>correctly.

>I have a friend with 4 y/o child. The child hasn't been diagnosed

>yet, but the only thing for sure is that the child is NOT on the

>spectrum. I personally met the child and all I can say is that he is

>very social, warm and compassionate with everybody including his

>peers. My friend is suspecting that maybe her son's challenges could

>be related to Auditory Processing issues (APD maybe)Â… She'd love to

>get some reviews about Dr. Dunbar's evaluations. Here some questions:

>

>- How are the evaluations with Dr. Dunbar? How much time does

>she spends with the patient? What type of things does she do before

>she makes any conclusion? How satisfied are the parents with Dr.

>Dunbar's assessment? Does she get to understand easily the child's

>challenges? Does she look at the whole picture of the child closely

>and neutrally: the good and the bad?

>- If we were talking about a child who potentially has ONLY

>APD, do you think that Dr. Dunbar is talented enough to clearly

>identify the difference between PDD-NOS vs. APD only?? And after the

>diagnosis is given, would Doctor Dunbar offer individualized guidance

>in how to work with that child through Floortime, OT or any other

>method she may find helpful? What I mean with this last question is

>that when she evaluates a child, would Dr. Dunbar make sure that the

>parents go back to home with a very good idea in how to work with the

>child and help the child to outcome his challenges?

>

>My friend would love to get feedback from parents who have used Dr.

>Dunbar specifically for evaluation, because in the archives I read

>that she is awesome with the training, but couldn't find anything

>related specifically to evaluations.

>

>Any input here will be greatly appreciated!

>

>--

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am in total agreement with . Dr.

Dunbar was one of the first evaluators my child had and in fact worked through

a difficult process of getting her to attend school. She has an innate gift to

identify needs and find answers. I highly respect her ability, and coupled with

her experience and knowledge, make her well worth the wait and money. If she

doesn’t have answers for you, my experience is, she knows how to see beyond the

behaviors to the cause and comes up with solutions and coping skills for the

child and family. I would love to hear your experience after using her. Sharon

Sharon Gudger

Special Education Consultant

Child Advocate

678-764-5554

sharongudger@...

From:

autism [mailto:autism ] On Behalf Of Cowen

Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007

8:43 PM

autism

Subject: Re:

Reviews about Dr. Dunbar (Floortime Atlanta) needed.

We have been to Dr. Dunbar for an initial evalution, 5

years ago, and then returned for follow-ups. She spends approximately 2 hours

with the parents and child, and is very good at identifying the child's

specific needs. She will ask questions of the parents and watch the child

interact with parents, with her, with toys, and other behaviors. I would say

that the answer to all of your questions is " yes " . She was able to

identify both my son's strengths and weaknesses, and she was able to make very

specific suggestions about ways to deal with them. The issue of what

" label " she might place on the child is not an easy one to answer.

Labels, in Dr. Dunbar's opinion, have little use, except to help with filing

insurance claims, or getting other benefits. She will look more specifically at

the child's areas of concern (auditory processing, fine or gross motor skills,

visual-spatial processing, etc.). The DIR Approach specifically targets those

areas, and she is very good at examining each of those needs, and assessing the

strengths and/or weaknesses in those areas.

So, yes, she is worth the wait and worth the money. Your friend will not get a

more thorough, helpful evaluation elsewhere. We've been to others (Marcus

Institute, neurologists, etc.), and she was the only one who provided specific,

helpful suggestions.

Reviews about Dr. Dunbar (Floortime Atlanta)

needed.

>

>Dear All,

>

>First, I'm sorry I'm coming here with several questions relating the

>same thing; it's just that I want to make sure my point gets across

>correctly.

>I have a friend with 4 y/o child. The child hasn't been diagnosed

>yet, but the only thing for sure is that the child is NOT on the

>spectrum. I personally met the child and all I can say is that he is

>very social, warm and compassionate with everybody including his

>peers. My friend is suspecting that maybe her son's challenges could

>be related to Auditory Processing issues (APD maybe) She'd love to

>get some reviews about Dr. Dunbar's evaluations. Here some questions:

>

>- How are the evaluations with Dr. Dunbar? How much time does

>she spends with the patient? What type of things does she do before

>she makes any conclusion? How satisfied are the parents with Dr.

>Dunbar's assessment? Does she get to

understand easily the child's

>challenges? Does she look at the whole picture of the child closely

>and neutrally: the good and the bad?

>- If we were talking about a child who potentially has ONLY

>APD, do you think that Dr. Dunbar is talented enough to clearly

>identify the difference between PDD-NOS vs. APD only?? And after the

>diagnosis is given, would Doctor Dunbar offer individualized guidance

>in how to work with that child through Floortime, OT or any other

>method she may find helpful? What I mean with this last question is

>that when she evaluates a child, would Dr. Dunbar make sure that the

>parents go back to home with a very good idea in how to work with the

>child and help the child to outcome his challenges?

>

>My friend would love to get feedback from parents who have used Dr.

>Dunbar specifically for evaluation,

because in the archives I read

>that she is awesome with the training, but couldn't find anything

>related specifically to evaluations.

>

>Any input here will be greatly appreciated!

>

>--

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

wrote:

> Dear All,

>

> First, I'm sorry I'm coming here with several questions relating the

> same thing; it's just that I want to make sure my point gets across

> correctly.

> I have a friend with 4 y/o child. The child hasn't been diagnosed

> yet, but the only thing for sure is that the child is NOT on the

> spectrum. I personally met the child and all I can say is that he is

> very social, warm and compassionate with everybody including his

> peers. My friend is suspecting that maybe her son's challenges could

> be related to Auditory Processing issues (APD maybe)… She'd love to

> get some reviews about Dr. Dunbar's evaluations. Here some questions:

>

> - How are the evaluations with Dr. Dunbar?

Classic floortime. She watches the child play for a little while to get

an idea of where the child is, then she jumps in to get more specific

details.

> How much time does she spends with the patient?

We've been seeing Dr. Dunbar for 6.5 years now. We see her every couple

of months. Our son is 9 years old now so he is a participant in play

and discussions for the whole 2 hours. When he was younger maybe 25-50%

of the time was spent with us answering questions and talking to us.

> What type of things does she do before she makes any conclusion?

I can't say what's going on in her head, but she spends a lot of time

interacting with the child (and asking the parents questions).

> How satisfied are the parents with Dr. Dunbar's assessment?

We've been seeing her for 6.5 years! As a professional practicing

the DIR model, I sincerely believe she's as good as Greenspan and Weider.

> Does she get to understand easily the child's challenges?

Absolutely. That's the core of the DIR model.

> Does she look at the whole picture of the child closely

> and neutrally: the good and the bad?

Ditto above (that's the core of the DIR model).

> - If we were talking about a child who potentially has ONLY

> APD, do you think that Dr. Dunbar is talented enough to clearly

> identify the difference between PDD-NOS vs. APD only??

Dr. Dunbar is one of the most talented developmental psychologists you

could ever hope to meet.

> And after the diagnosis is given, would Doctor Dunbar offer

> individualized guidance in how to work with that child through Floortime,

> OT or any other method she may find helpful? What I mean with this last

> question is that when she evaluates a child, would Dr. Dunbar make sure

> that the parents go back to home with a very good idea in how to work with

> the child and help the child to outcome his challenges?

Absolutely. Again, 'individual differences' is the I in the DIR model.

So heard advice would be tailored to the child's developmental levels,

individual differences and core relationships (parents, siblings, etc.)

Dr. Dunbar is a very special lady. There aren't many like her.

> My friend would love to get feedback from parents who have used Dr.

> Dunbar specifically for evaluation, because in the archives I read

> that she is awesome with the training, but couldn't find anything

> related specifically to evaluations.

If the parents wanted to talk to somebody about Dr. Dunbar, have them

email me and I'd be happy to talk to them and answer any questions they

might have. I will say Dr. Dunbar is not big on documentation. But

paper isn't why we go to see her.

> Any input here will be greatly appreciated!

>

> --

[Guest guest]

Thank you ALL for your time and opinions about Dr. Dunbar... I really

appreciate them!!!

Kind regards,

>

> Dear All,

>

> First, I'm sorry I'm coming here with several questions relating

the

> same thing; it's just that I want to make sure my point gets across

> correctly.

> I have a friend with 4 y/o child. The child hasn't been diagnosed

> yet, but the only thing for sure is that the child is NOT on the

> spectrum. I personally met the child and all I can say is that he

is

> very social, warm and compassionate with everybody including his

> peers. My friend is suspecting that maybe her son's challenges

could

> be related to Auditory Processing issues (APD maybe)… She'd love to

> get some reviews about Dr. Dunbar's evaluations. Here some

questions:

>

> - How are the evaluations with Dr. Dunbar? How much time does

> she spends with the patient? What type of things does she do before

> she makes any conclusion? How satisfied are the parents with Dr.

> Dunbar's assessment? Does she get to understand easily the child's

> challenges? Does she look at the whole picture of the child closely

> and neutrally: the good and the bad?

> - If we were talking about a child who potentially has ONLY

> APD, do you think that Dr. Dunbar is talented enough to clearly

> identify the difference between PDD-NOS vs. APD only?? And after

the

> diagnosis is given, would Doctor Dunbar offer individualized

guidance

> in how to work with that child through Floortime, OT or any other

> method she may find helpful? What I mean with this last question is

> that when she evaluates a child, would Dr. Dunbar make sure that

the

> parents go back to home with a very good idea in how to work with

the

> child and help the child to outcome his challenges?

>

> My friend would love to get feedback from parents who have used Dr.

> Dunbar specifically for evaluation, because in the archives I read

> that she is awesome with the training, but couldn't find anything

> related specifically to evaluations.

>

> Any input here will be greatly appreciated!

>

> --

>

[Guest guest]

Many thanks for your answer!!!

>

> We have been to Dr. Dunbar for an initial evalution, 5 years ago,

and then returned for follow-ups. She spends approximately 2 hours

with the parents and child, and is very good at identifying the

child's specific needs. She will ask questions of the parents and

watch the child interact with parents, with her, with toys, and other

behaviors. I would say that the answer to all of your questions

is " yes " . She was able to identify both my son's strengths and

weaknesses, and she was able to make very specific suggestions about

ways to deal with them. The issue of what " label " she might place on

the child is not an easy one to answer. Labels, in Dr. Dunbar's

opinion, have little use, except to help with filing insurance

claims, or getting other benefits. She will look more specifically

at the child's areas of concern (auditory processing, fine or gross

motor skills, visual-spatial processing, etc.). The DIR Approach

specifically targets those areas, and she is very good at examining

each of those needs, and assessing the strengths and/or weaknesses in

those areas.

>

> So, yes, she is worth the wait and worth the money. Your friend

will not get a more thorough, helpful evaluation elsewhere. We've

been to others (Marcus Institute, neurologists, etc.), and she was

the only one who provided specific, helpful suggestions.

>

>

>

>

>

> Reviews about Dr. Dunbar (Floortime

Atlanta) needed.

> >

> >Dear All,

> >

> >First, I'm sorry I'm coming here with several questions relating

the

> >same thing; it's just that I want to make sure my point gets

across

> >correctly.

> >I have a friend with 4 y/o child. The child hasn't been diagnosed

> >yet, but the only thing for sure is that the child is NOT on the

> >spectrum. I personally met the child and all I can say is that he

is

> >very social, warm and compassionate with everybody including his

> >peers. My friend is suspecting that maybe her son's challenges

could

> >be related to Auditory Processing issues (APD maybe)Â… She'd love

to

> >get some reviews about Dr. Dunbar's evaluations. Here some

questions:

> >

> >- How are the evaluations with Dr. Dunbar? How much time does

> >she spends with the patient? What type of things does she do

before

> >she makes any conclusion? How satisfied are the parents with Dr.

> >Dunbar's assessment? Does she get to understand easily the child's

> >challenges? Does she look at the whole picture of the child

closely

> >and neutrally: the good and the bad?

> >- If we were talking about a child who potentially has ONLY

> >APD, do you think that Dr. Dunbar is talented enough to clearly

> >identify the difference between PDD-NOS vs. APD only?? And after

the

> >diagnosis is given, would Doctor Dunbar offer individualized

guidance

> >in how to work with that child through Floortime, OT or any other

> >method she may find helpful? What I mean with this last question

is

> >that when she evaluates a child, would Dr. Dunbar make sure that

the

> >parents go back to home with a very good idea in how to work with

the

> >child and help the child to outcome his challenges?

> >

> >My friend would love to get feedback from parents who have used

Dr.

> >Dunbar specifically for evaluation, because in the archives I read

> >that she is awesome with the training, but couldn't find anything

> >related specifically to evaluations.

> >

> >Any input here will be greatly appreciated!

> >

> >--

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Barbara Dunbar, Ph.D. 404-325-8060

It's display in this website: http://www.floortimeatlanta.com/team.htm

--

> >

> > We have been to Dr. Dunbar for an initial evalution, 5 years ago,

> and then returned for follow-ups. She spends approximately 2 hours

> with the parents and child, and is very good at identifying the

> child's specific needs. She will ask questions of the parents and

> watch the child interact with parents, with her, with toys, and

other

> behaviors. I would say that the answer to all of your questions

> is " yes " . She was able to identify both my son's strengths and

> weaknesses, and she was able to make very specific suggestions

about

> ways to deal with them. The issue of what " label " she might place

on

> the child is not an easy one to answer. Labels, in Dr. Dunbar's

> opinion, have little use, except to help with filing insurance

> claims, or getting other benefits. She will look more specifically

> at the child's areas of concern (auditory processing, fine or gross

> motor skills, visual-spatial processing, etc.). The DIR Approach

> specifically targets those areas, and she is very good at examining

> each of those needs, and assessing the strengths and/or weaknesses

in

> those areas.

> >

> > So, yes, she is worth the wait and worth the money. Your friend

> will not get a more thorough, helpful evaluation elsewhere. We've

> been to others (Marcus Institute, neurologists, etc.), and she was

> the only one who provided specific, helpful suggestions.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Reviews about Dr. Dunbar (Floortime

> Atlanta) needed.

> > >

> > >Dear All,

> > >

> > >First, I'm sorry I'm coming here with several questions relating

> the

> > >same thing; it's just that I want to make sure my point gets

> across

> > >correctly.

> > >I have a friend with 4 y/o child. The child hasn't been

diagnosed

> > >yet, but the only thing for sure is that the child is NOT on the

> > >spectrum. I personally met the child and all I can say is that

he

> is

> > >very social, warm and compassionate with everybody including his

> > >peers. My friend is suspecting that maybe her son's challenges

> could

> > >be related to Auditory Processing issues (APD maybe)Â… She'd

love

> to

> > >get some reviews about Dr. Dunbar's evaluations. Here some

> questions:

> > >

> > >- How are the evaluations with Dr. Dunbar? How much time does

> > >she spends with the patient? What type of things does she do

> before

> > >she makes any conclusion? How satisfied are the parents with Dr.

> > >Dunbar's assessment? Does she get to understand easily the

child's

> > >challenges? Does she look at the whole picture of the child

> closely

> > >and neutrally: the good and the bad?

> > >- If we were talking about a child who potentially has ONLY

> > >APD, do you think that Dr. Dunbar is talented enough to clearly

> > >identify the difference between PDD-NOS vs. APD only?? And after

> the

> > >diagnosis is given, would Doctor Dunbar offer individualized

> guidance

> > >in how to work with that child through Floortime, OT or any

other

> > >method she may find helpful? What I mean with this last question

> is

> > >that when she evaluates a child, would Dr. Dunbar make sure that

> the

> > >parents go back to home with a very good idea in how to work

with

> the

> > >child and help the child to outcome his challenges?

> > >

> > >My friend would love to get feedback from parents who have used

> Dr.

> > >Dunbar specifically for evaluation, because in the archives I

read

> > >that she is awesome with the training, but couldn't find

anything

> > >related specifically to evaluations.

> > >

> > >Any input here will be greatly appreciated!

> > >

> > >--

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >