Hi, everyone! We're moving to the Chattanooga area this summer from the Atlanta area. I have 2 boys. My 13 year old is NT and my 9 year old has autism. He's currently in...
Erin G. replied:
Dentist: Dr. Clay Goins Therapy: Milestones therapy in Hixson
Meg W. replied:
All good advice. We use Highland Pediatrics and are very happy. Agape Behavioral is wonderful. Pediatrics Plus for therapy is the best. You should look at Silverdale Baptist for school. They have an impact program that is wonderful. Skyuka formerly Scenic City is another great private school choice.
Dianne B. replied:
I can tell you that Soddy Elementary has a fabulous program for special needs and inclusion. Could not have asked for a better school for my son. I've heard great things about Dallas Bay Baptist as far as their special needs program. Have several friends that have left the church I attend and gone there because of their program.
Mary D. replied:
My son went to Soddy Ele. Couldn't have asked for a better place for him to have gone after signal centers. Richard Prichard is a awesome dentist. He worked with my son and his sensory issues like a pro.
Megan R. replied:
Dr Delia Wessels at Allied Pediatrics has a special interest in special needs kiddos...and Drs Wiley & Shumaker at Galen North Ped (in Hixson) are also very good. Jo (NP) is at Erlanger Children's Neurology..we saw her after Dr. Knowles left. We liked her very much. Absolutely loved him!!! We homeschool...my son with autism is also 9 and currently in 3 rd grade.
Elizabeth T. replied:
These are all great resources from parents that have done their homework. However, what make work for one family may not be best for you...just to keep in mind:-) Please join our newsletter and visit our website to get in the know about events and resources in our area. If you are able, we will have an Autism conference on April 17 th. You'll get to meet and hear from a lot of professionals and visit many organizations who'll exhibit. Good luck with the move! Www.chattanoogaautismcenter.org
Faith L. replied:
Dr Sydney Cox is the only dentist that was ever able to get near my son as a dentist. We've never had a problem there, whereas before it would be constant anxiety and stress and zero cooperation.
Melissa H. replied:
neurologist- Dr Paul Knowles, Pediatricians- Galen Medical on Gunbarrel Rd. 423-899-2904Dr Spraggins,
Kristy G. replied:
Holy smokes! Y'all are awesome!!! I'd better get my notebook started! I have a friend who had her NT sons at Apison Elem and now at East Hamilton. She really likes it. Not sure about inclusion programs. I'm happy to see private schools take kiddos with iEPs there! The ones here don't. I've heard good things about Chattanooga Christian and Silverdale. Skyuka Hall looks amazing too!
Lisa M. replied:
Visit www.lifelinefamilies.org and sign up for our emails as well. There are multiple ways to connect with families, churches, and professionals through our activities as well.
Jackie L. replied:
Kristy, Chattanooga is such a great place to live for boys, lots of things to do outside! I suggested looking into north ggeorgia schools but failed to mention that my son goes to school at Silverdale and is in the impact program. I would look at all of your options, but if you go public...I personally would visit programs in Hamilton County (TN) and in North Georgia like Ringold. They are VERY different.. I would also go like the LifeLine Families page, the director Lisa is very knowledgeable about the school system here - she does IEP consults and such. In addition to the Chattanooga Autism Center being a great resource, they have many training sessions and workshops too. https://www.facebook.com/LifeLineFamilies
Rachel L. replied:
Dentist: Dr. Clay Goins Therapy: Pediatrics Plus Doctor (Pediatrician): Dr. Karin Wolford - Galen Medical Neurologist: Courtney Patterson (N.P)
Julie S. replied:
Westview Elementary school in the East Brainerd has a good inclusion program. My son (now 13) did very well there. We use Dr. Samuel Gill for our dentist. He sets aside extra time for his appointments with autistic children, and his staff is wonderful. For doctors, we love Galen Pediatrics - Drs Spraggins, Tigar, and Helton are great.
Kate G. replied:
Calvary Chapel Chattanooga on Broad Street just recently started a special needs ministry.
Jennifer- W. replied:
Dr Paul Knowles is no longer in town but that practice is at children's hospital at erlanger. We've used that practice for 10 years
Rachel L. replied:
Dr. Clay Goins set aside a whole hour for our first visit, let my daughter be the only one in there. We have the same tech each time, and he remembers things about Maddie to help things go smooth. We used Dr. Knowles before he moved, and I have heard nothing but good things about the N.P. Courtney Patterson. oh! Agape Behavioral Youth if you need it! Dr. Pitman/ Allyson Neal are wonderful!
Saundra S. replied:
Dentist - Dr. Richard Prichard. My daughter loves him! She even sneaks in the laundry room and calls his office to try to make an appointment just to see him! Lol. Dr. Stephanie Stegall with Spring Creek Pediatrics. I like Dr. Paul Knowles - neurology at TC Thompson Children's Hospital, but was told new patients see the newer doctor. I think his name is Dr. Miller. We met him once. I do not like him. He is very arrogant. Dr. Knowles never had that kind of attitude with us. When my daughter was in school, she had physical therapy who contracted with the school, but I never did let them access her insurance, and then took her to Pediatrics Plus for extra, and I let Pediatrics Plus access insurance. I also like a physical therapist by the name of Kilbrey Fowler. She was at Children's Hospital. Don't know if she is still there.
Finally picked a house in Ooltewah! Now to start picking speech therapist, physical therapist, orthopedic surgeon (knee specifically), neurologist, GI (cyclic vomiting...
Megan R. replied:
And Dr Moses knew plenty about our Kiddo's ortho issues & have heard great things about him from others...and I know Dr Tew is great with knees... (-;
Kristy G. replied:
We went to a place called The Rice Box while we were up there that was good. I was so turned around that I have no clue which part of chattanooga it's in! It was good. It wasn't anywhere near Ooltewah! Looks like I won't be going to Costco as much as I do now! Lol!
Kristy G. replied:
Joni White -plastic cutlery drives me nuts too.
Megan R. replied:
The Rice Box is on Hixson Pike...Hixson area near Stuart Heights. (-; LOL
Jana M. replied:
Best GI we have found is Dr Screws. He has young kids does great with my kiddo!!
Becky G. replied:
Dr David Bruce-ortho- has an office in East Brainerd- I have treated a handful of pts of his in the past, pediatric and adult for PT. Good surgeon.
Amy G. replied:
We use Center for Pediatric Therapy. They have OT, PT, Speech, and Behavior therapy.
Denise B. replied:
We see Dr Gargus at Siskin and everyone in their office is wonderful. The Costco is literally right off I-75 so it wouldn't be that long of a drive if you live close to the interstate. I am not too familiar with the Ooltewah area as I am originally fr om Florida, but there are several good restaurants downtown Chattanooga which also has a great Childrens Discovery Museum that does a lot of sensory events, and the Tennessee Aquarium...lots of things on the riverfront in the warmer months too. Good luck with your move and hope everything goes well.
Rachel S. replied:
WELCOME!! Dr. Tolosa, is also amazing. He is in with Dr. Screws! We love that office. Dr. Gargus is worth the wait. We do speech at the Chattanooga Speech and Hearing center on Holtzclow Ave. We also love to eat at Cheddars and Mellow Mushroom.
Jana M. replied:
Yes. My son loves Dr Gargus!!
Kim S. replied:
Pediatrics Plus does PT, OT, Speech, Feeding Therapy. We strive to get you started within a week. 423-894-4774
Brandi H. replied:
Los Patros is good. Our son is on the spectrum and the servers and everyone are always so nice and accommodating.
The physical therapist has recommended that I put my 5 year old in a sports activity. He is nonverbal. Does anyone have any recommendations for what we should try?
Elena L. replied:
You could try Miracle League of Chattanooga...its baseball/softball.. Sign ups I think are in March..my friend's son did it last year..hes nonverbal and etc
Courtnie A. replied:
Chattanooga.gov youth & family development therapeutic recreation dept. has soccer in spring we play every year.
Marlea K. replied:
Check out Chattanooga Therapeutic Parks and Rec newsletter. They have climbing, biking and other great events! Also Modern Play has a new special needs workout class on Fridays.
Megan R. replied:
Therapeutic horseback riding is offered at Tristate Arena and at Scenic City Equestrian.
Does anyone know of an EXCELLENT physical therapist in Metairie or Kenner that is good with back pain? The more individual the treatment, the better. Thanks!!
Yvette Q. replied:
My cousins place - The Movement Science Center Yesterday at 10:35 pm
If someone knows of any good surgical physicians and physical therapist in chattanooga area let me know. I'll take a out of network surgeon but not a PT.
Thank you.