Marivic Santiago, MD

What are some of the specific conditions you treat?

Assesses, diagnoses, and treats concerns about pediatric development; behavior, attention, learning and emotional issues; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, developmental delay, learning disability, anxiety, oppositional defiant disorder, cognitive impairment, challenging/disruptive behaviors.

What techniques or procedures do you use in your practice?

The neurodevelopmental assessment involved in the evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with various developmental, behavioral, attention and learning problems is a comprehensive process. It entails obtaining a detailed birth, developmental, medical, behavior, school, family and psychosocial history. Behavior rating scales from parents and teachers provide valuable and critical information that assists in the diagnostic and evaluation process. The physical and neurologic examination, developmental assessment using age-specific, standardized tests/tools and clinical observation/direct patient interaction provide objective clinical data. The information that is gathered from all these various sources and assessment modalities is then analyzed and interpreted to make a diagnosis and provide treatment recommendations to the parents and school.

What would you like patients to know about your approach to care?

I strive to be compassionate, empathetic, culturally sensitive, thorough, comprehensive, and holistic in my approach to the care of patients with developmental disabilities. I believe that appropriate and effective management of patients requires close collaboration with the child's family, school, other caregivers, therapists, and specialists. I encourage open dialogue and shared decision-making with the family. This empowers the family, makes them feel heard, and more open to partnering in the care of the patient. I am available for phone appointments and consultations with the family, teachers, and therapists to address questions or concerns. As a developmental pediatrician, I work on delivering tailored and individualized care which facilitates the formation of stronger, more meaningful connections with my patients and their families.

What inspired you to become a doctor?

I have always been interested in connecting with people and found my calling in medicine where I get the privilege of being there for others when they are at their most vulnerable.

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Risk of Autistic Disorder in Affected Offspring of Mothers with a Glutathione s-Transferase P1

Haplotype Archives of Pediatrics and Adolscent Medicine
2007