She’s making sure they get the care they need!
Dr. Hokehe Eko is a board-certified pediatrician and the owner of “Glow Pediatrics,” the first Black-owned virtual autism clinic for children in the U.S., AfroTech reports. A mom of three with over a decade of experience working with children, Dr. Eko trained extensively to conduct autism diagnostic evaluations using the CARS standardized test. Now, she is able to help children get diagnosed all over the U.S.
“As a result of my experience, I am better able to differentiate between neuro-typical and neuro-atypical behaviors, and can also help identify if there are other factors at play, such as ADHD, depression, anxiety, OCD, intellectual delays, or other medical conditions,” a statement on her website reads.
Based in Oklahoma, Dr. Eko’s virtual clinic boasts a maximum wait time of a week, starkly contrasting the national average of 27 months for an autism diagnosis evaluation. Currently, she offers her services to patients in Georgia, Oklahoma, Maryland, Minnesota, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Pennsylvania.
“Early diagnosis and intervention are key to treatment and better outcomes for children, giving them the best chance at developing to their full potential, so it was important for me to do my part to solve this issue by offering quality care to children regardless of location,” Eko explained.
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Kimberly Johnson, an Oklahoma native and mom of a 4-year-old who received care from Eko, said she can speak directly to the clinic’s impact. Her son previously had a wait time of more than 15 months, but Eko saw him within just ten days.
“Parents need to know there are options out there and not to give up. That diagnosis is a big deal. It opens up so much for your child for resources to support their needs and gives parents a sense of direction. Also, working with Glow and Dr. Eko, I now have a plan and understanding on how to best care for him, including diet, sleep, etc.
In addition to evaluations, Glow Pediatrics offers community support and accountability through the Glow Health Circle and personalized treatment plans for ADHD and autism. For more information, visit the website at www.glowpediatrics.com.
Cover photo: Pediatrician Creates First Ever Black-Owned Virtual Autism Clinic for Kids in the U.S./Photo credit: Medium