The Hero Clinic

Childhood Autism Screening, ADD Diagnostics and Behavior & Developmental Testing in Columbia, MO

Give Your Child the Tools They Need in Life. Visit the Hero Clinic in Columbia, MO for Childhood Developmental & Behavioral Diagnoses & Care

The Hero Clinic is a developmental-behavioral pediatric clinic. We bring together an experienced pediatric team and a seasoned group of therapists to help children and teens in crisis navigate the difficult and confusing worlds of autism, school difficulties, depression, and anxiety. These and similar issues are often made all the more challenging by a healthcare system that seems to have little incentive to prioritize early intervention or rapid assessment. Find diagnostics and guidance with The Hero Clinic. 

Find Compassionate & Experienced Childhood Development Disorder Testing & Care at the Hero Clinic in Columbia, MO

The Hero Clinic was started by speech therapists Chris Grotewiel and Sherri Germann, owners of Central Missouri Therapy SPOT, as well as pediatrician Dr. Adam Wheeler and entrepreneur Jen Wheeler, owners of Big Tree Medical and Little Tree Pediatrics and Pediatric Urgent Care.

 

The Hero Clinic believes that true heroes are forged in the fires of crisis. Children who struggle in school develop empathy toward others who struggle, and empathy is the superpower that our modern world needs most. Teens who battle anxiety and depression can develop the “combat skills” needed to succeed in a world that desperately needs truly emotionally intelligent superheroes. Toddlers who are clashing with the demands of their little world desperately need a place to develop that sees their unique personality as a gift that humanity does not yet understand. 

 

Do not misunderstand us. Depression, failure to thrive in school, and autism are devastating, potentially catastrophic situations. The suffering that such situations create, both for the child and their families, is real and long-lasting. But at The Hero Clinic, we see these realities as an important stage of each child’s journey, a stage that can be a source of real strength for the child. We also believe that the broader community needs the strength that this child can offer. We, as a society, desperately need heroes with different points of view, more empathy, and more strength of character. And at The Hero Clinic, we see the children in crisis as the source of these needed heroes of the future.

Childhood development diagnostic process at The Hero Clinic in Columbia, MO

Step 1: Data collection includes written and in-person standardized evaluations, physical examination, and potential diagnostic tests performed by a multidisciplinary team including occupational therapy, speech therapy, pediatrics, and a provider trained in Advanced Behavioral Analysis (ABA).

Step 2: A team meeting to synthesize the data. We then attempt to match the data to the available diagnostic categories.

Step 3: Create a multi-disciplinary management plan that may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medications, educational recommendations, counseling, and autism-specific training such as ABA and/or parenting modifications.

The Hero Clinic | Childhood Development & Behavior Intervention

We also offer ongoing physical, occupational, and speech therapy as well as medication management. We often manage or help manage conditions such as autism, speech apraxia, school failure, attention deficit disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

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Affordable childhood development & behavior intervention in Columbia, MO

The health insurance system creates an incentive structure that often keeps health care providers from providing care, especially in disorders of development and behavior. For this reason, we have chosen not to participate in health insurance. Our up-front cash prices are often less than many insurance co-pays and co-insurance. Many other clinics like The Hero Clinic are in-network with traditional health insurance. Our charge for an evaluation is much less than traditional healthcare providers charge insurance companies. However, the out-of-pocket cost for any given individual may be more or less than what they would pay as a part of an insurance plan. What we offer, however, is rapid access. We can start your child’s evaluation today and complete it this week.

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The Hero Clinic manages childhood development & mental health conditions in Columbia

  • ADD

    Management of ADD is complicated both by the complexity of the disease itself and by the stigma associated with the medications used to treat it. Many in our society believe that ADD sufferers are simply lazy or poorly parented. We now know, however, that not only are there genetic and neurological causes of ADD, but that medications are quite safe and very effective. ADD management is broken down into two categories: behavioral modification and medication.


    Behavioral modification counseling basically involves helping the patient put in place several techniques to improve organization and school or work performance. Counseling typically takes several years to become effective but has the advantage of teaching life-long skills. All children benefit from counseling-based techniques and seeing a professional ADD counselor may be beneficial. We also find that many school districts do an outstanding job providing behavioral modification-based management. A majority of teachers are very good at applying a plan put in place through the school’s individualized educational plan (IEP) system. Many children get all of their behavioral modification coaching through their school and teachers. 

     

    No parent wants to give their child medication for ADD. Unfortunately, medications, especially stimulants such as methylphenidate and mixed amphetamine salts, are very effective. They start working quickly, have few and manageable side effects, and are relatively affordable. Patients notice an improvement in attention to detail, focus, the ability to remember tasks, and the ability to follow directions. Occasionally, patients notice appetite suppression, stomach aches, or headaches but these can typically be managed by changing the dose of medication. We typically prescribe longer-acting medication to help the patient see symptom relief for most of the day. 

     

    The medication class called stimulants includes everything from caffeine to the medications used to treat ADD, to cocaine and methamphetamines. Obviously, drugs like cocaine and methamphetamines are much stronger and far more addictive than the medications used to treat ADD. Interestingly, research has shown that teenagers that have ADD and are treated with stimulants have a lower chance of becoming addicted to drugs. 

  • Autism

    The management of the core features of autism is controversial. Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is considered the standard approach to autism and is covered by all insurance plans (coverage is required by law). ABA is not the only approach with significant scientific backing, nor is it necessarily the best approach for patients of all ages. ABA has recently come under criticism by some former ABA patients, so it is not without its detractors. 

     

    We do not believe there is a one-size-fits-all approach to helping children with autism thrive. We believe that the best approach is a provider specifically trained in ABA who utilizes many of the tools of ABA to help both the child and the family learn to operate in a variety of conditions. This approach includes helping parents learn to appropriately manage the child when the ABA provider is not present, an aspect that is not traditionally emphasized in ABA. Our ABA team does have the ability to bill most commercial insurance companies. 

  • Anxiety & Depression

    Unfortunately, many children with anxiety disorders were not treated in the prior generation. Now these individuals are having children of their own who often suffer from similar conditions.

     

    Generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and related problems are both common and treatable. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for example, works very well alone or in combination with medication for many patients with anxiety to help them dramatically improve their lives. 

     

    Medications, such as Sertraline also are very effective both alone and in combination with counseling. Children with anxiety disorders respond very well to medication and counseling, and our clinic has experience treating children and adolescents of all ages with a wide variety of medications. The side effects in children with these medications are minimal and the improvement in anxiety can be life-changing.

  • Behavioral Disorders

    Unfortunately, many children with anxiety disorders were not treated in the prior generation. Now these individuals are having children of their own who often suffer from similar conditions.

     

    Generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and related problems are both common and treatable. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for example, works very well alone or in combination with medication for many patients with anxiety to help them dramatically improve their lives. 

     

    As we help families dealing with behavioral issues, careful analysis is critical, but follow-up may be even more important. Even our best initial assessment may prove incorrect, especially as the child develops and time sheds more light on the inner workings of the child’s mind. We are committed to a long-term relationship with each family, not only to prescribe medications and to help find appropriate resources but to do so over time, as the situation changes, as the child develops, and as medical science evolves. 

     

    Children with behavioral disorders need intervention on three levels. We work with parents to make sure that their parenting technique is appropriate given the family situation. We actually find that most parents’ techniques are quite good. Parenting classes are available if helpful. Depending on the age of the child, counseling for the child may be recommended as well. Counseling is especially appropriate as the lessons learned through appropriate counseling can be used throughout the life of the child. Medication is also often appropriate. We have a variety of medication options to help influence the behavior of a child. 

     

    We work with many children with severe behavior disorders and we find parental support is critical. Parents must focus on being process-oriented, not outcome-oriented. Parents (and other caregivers) can only control their actions and, ultimately, the child is in control of his or her own actions. Parents should focus on applying a few very consistent boundaries and ensuring that the child knows that they are deeply cared for and loved unconditionally. Parents cannot control the outcome of the ultimate behavior of the child. Children with severe behavior disorders have good weeks and bad weeks. Medicine can make a very dramatic difference, but results are often incomplete. But we want parents to know that we will walk beside them each step of the way. 

  • Developmental Disorders

    Other developmental disorders that we commonly help manage include pure speech delay, feeding issues in infants and toddlers, motor delays, and children with complex medical needs that have a variety of interrelated conditions that call for an integrated approach. 

     

    For example, a child with a chromosomal abnormality may have issues with all of the above in early childhood, but with consistent occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy, these children can be expected to lead a fairly typical adult life. In fact, in our experience, the extra work, the extra effort, and the extra care and attention that these children put in and experience create a work ethic and a level of empathy that makes them extraordinary adults. We believe that great humans are not made when everything “goes well.” Great humans are made in the struggle. And we are excited to walk alongside your family during the formation of your hero.

The Hero Clinic | Treating School-Related Behavior Concerns
School-related behavior or development concerns can be treated at The Hero Clinic in Columbia, MO

School often becomes the first big test that a child experiences. Children may have difficulties at school because of lower ability, but more often there are other factors at play. We help families manage dyslexia, ADD, behavioral issues, and a variety of similar situations. 

  • Dyslexia

    We coordinate with the school system to make sure that an appropriate 504 plan or IEP is in place. We have an educational tutor that utilizes the Orton-Gillingham approach to dyslexia management. The Orton-Gillingham approach is the most well-researched dyslexia management approach and is considered the gold standard. 

Find effective childhood development & behavior diagnostic screening with The Hero Clinic in Columbia, MO

  • ADD

    Attention deficit disorder (sometimes referred to as attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder) or ADD is a common, treatable condition that affects a large percentage of school-age children and adults. ADD is now thought of as consisting of two subtypes, the hyperactive subtype (think a 7-year-old swinging from the projector in the classroom) and the inattentive subtype (think the quiet kid in the corner who is good, but always gets C’s and D’s as they spend more time thinking about the squirrel outside than the teacher’s lesson). There are also patients who have features of both subtypes. 

     

    Though currently only used for research purposes, both EEGs and MRIs have shown differences between patients that have ADD and those that do not. ADD is not simply laziness, bad behavior, or poor parenting. ADD is more of a situation in which a part of the brain has developed too slowly (possibly the prefrontal cortex) such that a 7-year-old child has the “maturity” of, say, a 4-year-old. When asked to act like a more typically developing 7-year-old, their teacher finds that their behavior does not meet standards (as what 4-year-old could handle 2nd grade). 

     

    ADD is diagnosed by trained clinicians using a set of standardized tests that are completed by both parents or other family members and teachers or co-workers. Patients that meet diagnostic criteria are often treated with either behavioral modification counseling or medication. 

  • Autism

    The diagnosis of autism requires a team of therapists and clinicians and typically involves using a set of diagnostic tests. At The Hero Clinic, our goal is to accomplish this with as much accuracy and as little trauma to the child as possible. We accomplish this first by sending the parents a link to a set of tests that they can do from home on a computer or smartphone. Once the family is at the clinic, we send one examiner into the room with the child while the rest of the team observes the child from a secure video feed, minimizing the time spent in the clinic. After a meeting between the entire clinical team, the doctor and social worker report back to the family on the findings of the team. 

     

    The diagnostic criteria used by the Diagnostics and Statistics Manual, 5th Edition is the standard definition of autism used at The Hero Clinic, as in all clinics. We use the same standardized testing instruments as other clinics. We are not a research facility. Many research-oriented facilities require hours of testing for each child, in part to advance our knowledge of autism and related disorders. We applaud their efforts. The goal at The Hero Clinic is different. We are seeking to provide access to a quality diagnostic process so that children can quickly start therapy if indicated. At this time, our wait time is less than one week for new diagnostic evaluations. Because we believe that early intervention is critical, our goal is to keep our wait list under one week. 

     

    Once the team briefs the parents on its findings, the family meets with a social worker to discuss the implementation of the team’s recommendations.  

  • Depression & Anxiety

    Childhood and adolescence is not what it used to be. From social media to the pandemic, our children’s development is different, and it certainly seems to be more stressful. Though our understanding of depression and anxiety is far from complete, we certainly believe that the stress of the overall environment increases the odds that a person will suffer from the constellation of symptoms that we label depression or anxiety. 

     

    For many kids, the despondency of depression and the constant unease of anxiety co-exist. Especially in children, it is often unclear which of these two disorders the patient actually has. Fortunately, the treatments are almost identical, and in most cases, children and teens respond well to cognitive behavioral therapy, medications, or both. We use a series of diagnostic tests and clinical interviews to help determine the correct label to use and to recommend a set of appropriate treatment options. Frequently, the patient or the family is not yet willing to consider medication, which is certainly understandable. We never want any child to take medication. For many children, however, medication serves a key role in their recovery. We feel our role is to help a family understand what is going on with their child and what the options for management are. 

     

    If you are concerned that your child may be suffering from one of these conditions, keep in mind the complexity of the mental health of children and teens. Children grow and develop. They may or may not be able to communicate their inner thoughts and feelings. They may withdraw and refuse to communicate whatsoever. Their condition will evolve over time with puberty, friends, romantic relationships, and family each affecting the child regularly. 

     

    Frequently, we see children that are just not ok. The parents don’t know what is wrong. And while they are willing to consider a problem such as depression as the underlying cause, they worry that the cause may be something more “ordinary:” a vitamin deficiency, an autoimmune disease, cancer, an endocrine disorder, or some other similar condition. As our diagnostic team is led by a board-certified pediatrician, we are equipped to consider all potential diagnoses. We can order labs and imaging if needed and indicated. Unfortunately, depression and anxiety are both about 10,000 times more common than cancer, vitamin deficiencies, or autoimmune disorders. But that fact should create hope. Depression and anxiety are treatable conditions. And more than just treatable conditions, they are an opportunity for growth for the child. They can and will be better off because they endured this dark, scary time. They will come out more empathetic, resilient, and courageous. So parents should not fear addressing the situation in which they find their child. Hope exists. 

  • Behavioral Disorders

    All children struggle with appropriate behavior at times. But for some children, this struggle prohibits them from attending school or creates a serious disruption to the family. In significant cases, children and families can benefit from specific counseling and/or medication to help manage behavioral problems. 

     

    If your child is being asked to leave school regularly due to disruptive behavior or if your family plans must be often altered to accommodate the inappropriate behavior of a child, we can help. We find that in a majority of these cases, poor parenting is not the problem. In fact, by necessity, most parents with children with severe behavior disorders have above-average parenting skills. 

     

    A variety of mental health conditions can lead to behavioral disorders, and in younger children, these conditions are often indistinguishable. For example, an 8-year-old with anxiety may have poor behavior because a situation made them anxious and they responded with defiance in an attempt to control the situation. But, similarly, if the same child had depression, they may lash out due to being overwhelmed, where the parent’s request became the last thing that pushed them over the edge. If an 8-year-old has early bipolar disorder and is manic, they may also have poor behavior. An 8-year-old with ADD may be seen to have poor behavior simply because they forget what they have been asked to do. 

     

    There are several “labels'' that children may receive as a part of their diagnostic process. Oppositional defiant disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, conduct disorder, and diagnostic categories that describe the types of behaviors that a child may exhibit. Each of these conditions may be related to ADD, depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder as well. 

     

    The purpose of these “labels” is simply to help parents, teachers, and care providers target appropriate therapy for the child’s difficult situation. These labels may no longer apply to children as they age. Our goal in the diagnostic process is merely to inform an effective therapy, not to define who the child is. Their identity is rooted in things much deeper than any label we can apply.

  • Developmental Disorders

    Occasionally children have early or complex developmental concerns that do not clearly fit into other categories. We are happy to evaluate children with early motor delays, speech delays, language delays, or other concerns to help sort out a complex medical-developmental situation. 

  • Dyslexia

    When children struggle at school, the question of dyslexia often arises. Dyslexia is a disorder in which the child’s academic performance is specifically limited by an inability to process written language. We are able to detect this by a mismatch between the child’s IQ and language ability. For example, a child with a 50th percentile IQ but a reading score in the 25th percentile often meets the criteria for dyslexia. We use a standard IQ test and a standardized language test to examine for this mismatch and make a dyslexia diagnosis. 

     

    There are specific tools that schools and therapists use for children that meet the diagnostic criteria for dyslexia. As these tools are costly, schools require a very rigorous evaluation before they will allow children to use the dyslexia-specific tools. Our typical process will satisfy most school systems. Occasionally we interact with school districts (typically private schools) that are unable to provide the standard baseline diagnostic tests, but still ask us to provide testing that is above and beyond the standard testing program. In those cases, we charge an additional $150 per diagnostic test that the school requires. 

  • Feeding Disorders

    Infants often develop problems with feeding. This may be related to oral-motor issues, neuro-developmental issues like autism, behavioral issues, gastroesophageal reflux, and other causes. An evaluation by a speech therapist and a pediatrician often allows us to sort through the complexity and create a treatment plan.

  • Speech Disorder

    Children with speech disorders frequently challenge families. Some speech issues are relatively straightforward such as stuttering, speech delays, and simple phonation issues. Unfortunately, other situations also appear to be pure speech disorders that are actually much more complex. Depression, hearing abnormalities, learning disabilities, autism, muscle disorders, neurologic disorders, and Tourette syndrome all can create speech disorders, which may be the dominant feature of the disease process. Careful evaluation by speech therapists, pediatricians, and other therapists can create clarity.

Contact The Hero Clinic to schedule a child autism assessment or pediatric, mental, or behavioral health test in Columbia, MO

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