Other Services
Asthma Care
Asthma & Allergy Management
Our practice provides a comprehensive asthma and allergy management program for our patients. Our pediatricians are trained in the diagnosis and management of childhood asthma and allergies. Diagnosis is usually made during a sick visit when a child is wheezing or exhibiting symptoms of allergies. Occasionally, we may diagnose your child with asthma or allergies during a preventive care visit based on patient or parent concerns or our exam findings.
Pulmonary Function Testing
Pulmonary function testing is done at least annually and may be done when monitoring medication changes. The test results are interpreted by our providers to help guide your child’s treatment. This is a non-invasive test performed in all patients age 5 or older with asthma to assess lung function and response to medication and to assess overall asthma control.
Asthma Education
We teach about environmental controls and avoidance of triggers. We also watch your child using his/her inhaler to confirm it is being used correctly. Information about caring for the medication devices that your child uses is provided and reviewed at every visit. We will provide an Asthma Action Plan for your child for school and will provide a Food Allergy Action Plan if needed.
Maintence Visits
Children with asthma should be seen in our office every 3-12 months depending on their severity of illness and their asthma control. Regular visits are required in order for us to evaluate your child prior to medication refills.
Helpful Resources:
Asthma Overview - Childrens Hospital Colorado
How to Use a Diskus Inhaler - video and instructions
How to Use a Diskus Inhaler - PDF Download
How to Use a Flexhaler - video and instructions
How to Use a Flexhaler - PDF Download
How to Use a Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) - video and instructions
How to Use a Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) - PDF Download
Behavioral Health
WHAT WE DO
In cooperation with community based mental health providers, we evaluate and treat children for behavior concerns and school problems including:
- Inattention and lack of focus
- Anxiety
- Depression
DOES YOUR CHILD NEED A BEHAVIORAL EVALUATION?
If you have concerns about your child's behavioral development, please call our office and ask to speak to our Behavioral Health Coordinator. We will discuss your concerns and gather information that will be used to determine how we can best help your child. If a Behavioral Evaluation with one of our providers is needed, we will schedule this visit for you and provide you with assessment tools that you can complete prior to the your visit.
Assessment tools to complete for children ages 5-12:
- Vanderbilt Assessment - Parent Initial
- Vanderbilt Assessment - Teacher Initial
- Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) - Parent
- Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) – Child
- Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC)
Assessment tools to be complete for children ages 13-18:
- Vanderbilt Assessment - Parent Initial
- Vanderbilt Assessment - Teacher Initial
- Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) - Parent
- Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) – Child
- Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC)
- Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ9)
- CRAFFT screening tool
Assessment tools used on a case by case basis include:
- Child Obsessional Compulsive Inventory- Parent and Child (CHOCI)
Completing the Assessments
- You will be directed to complete the Parent Assessments through the patient portal.
- Your child will be given a portal account so that they can complete their assessments through their private patient portal.
- You will be directed to invite your child’s teacher to complete their assessment through the patient portal as well.
- Important! All Assessments must be completed before the day of your child’s appointment.
What to Expect at a Behavioral Evaluation
At least one week prior to your appointment, complete assigned assessments noted above. On the day of your child's behavioral evaluation, please arrive 10 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time. Ideally, your child should eat a nutritious meal prior to the appointment and be well-rested.
You and your child will meet with a nurse. Your nurse will spend approximately 20 minutes with you obtaining pertinent medical and behavioral history. Both you and your child will then meet with the doctor who will perform a thorough assessment and develop a behavioral health management plan for your child. Our providers may recommend additional counseling to best serve your child.
If the doctor prescribes medication, he/she will want to follow up with your child within 28 days to assess your child's progress and to determine if the medication can be refilled. A patient coordinator will schedule this appointment with you before you leave the office.
Ongoing Medication Management
After your child's initial evaluation, if medication is started, your child must be seen within 28 days in order to continue the medication. If your child is doing well with his/her medication, subsequent appointments will be scheduled every 3 months. If a medication or dosage change is needed, your child must be seen within 1 month to assess your child's progress and to determine if the medication can be refilled.
Chronic Care Management
We are here to support you!
If your child has a disability or a chronic illness, your journey may feel like the road less traveled. You probably have interactions with many different professionals and specialists. You need information, assistance, understanding, and support.
We're here to help.
If your child has significant medical needs, we will partner with you to help you manage your child's condition. We look forward to getting to know you and your child, and will be your dedicated point of contact through this journey.
Ear Piercing
Dr. Patel offers hand clasp ear piercings using the Medisystem Gentle Pierce system. Earrings are self pay and cost $60 for everything that you need. That includes the earrings, the procedure, and the ear cleaning solution needed for after care. Call and schedule your child's ear piercing today!
Lactation Consultation
Breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition for infants and offers lifelong health benefits for both babies and mothers. Like any new skill, breastfeeding often requires guidance, practice, and support—and we're here to help.
At Cradle Thru College Care, we care for many breastfeeding families and are committed to helping you meet your feeding goals. Whether you need reassurance, troubleshooting, or hands-on assistance, we will support you every step of the way.
Dr. Aimy Patel is a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS) with additional training in breastfeeding medicine and lactation support. She is currently working toward becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) to provide even more comprehensive breastfeeding care for our families.
We also offer a dedicated lactation room in our office where mothers can comfortably breastfeed, pump, and receive feeding support during their visits.
We respect every family's feeding decisions and strive to provide evidence-based, judgment-free guidance. We encourage exclusive breastfeeding for about the first six months of life, with continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods for at least the first year and beyond, as desired by mother and baby.
We provide:
- In-office feeding evaluations and hands-on support
- Breastfeeding guidance during well and sick visits
- Phone support for breastfeeding questions
- Growth and feeding assessments for breastfed infants
Areas We Can Help With
- Positioning and latch techniques
- Nipple pain and breast care
- Assessing milk transfer and milk supply
- Ensuring adequate infant nutrition and weight gain
- Breast pump assembly, use, and flange sizing
- Milk storage and handling
- Returning to work or school while breastfeeding
- Traveling while breastfeeding or pumping
- Introducing bottles to breastfed babies
- Teething and breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding premature infants
- Managing slow weight gain
- Breastfeeding twins
- Breastfeeding infants with special medical needs, including cleft palate, Down syndrome, and congenital heart conditions
- Guidance regarding medications, medical testing, and surgery while breastfeeding
Any amount of breast milk you provide is a gift to your child. We are honored to help support you throughout your breastfeeding journey.
Mental Health
If you believe your child has a medical or psychiatric emergency, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.
WHAT WE DO
In cooperation with community based mental health providers, we evaluate and treat children for behavior concerns and school problems including:
- Inattention and lack of focus
- Anxiety
- Depression
DOES YOUR CHILD NEED A BEHAVIORAL EVALUATION?
If you have concerns about your child's behavioral development, please call our office and a health coordinator will discuss your concerns and gather information that will be used to determine how we can best help your child. If a Behavioral Evaluation with one of our providers is needed, the health coordinator will schedule this visit for you and provide you with assessment tools that you will need to complete prior to your child's visit.
ADD/ADHD
Assessment tools for Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) that may be assigned to you include:
- Vanderbilt Assessment - Parent Initial
- Vanderbilt Assessment - Teacher Initial
If assigned, please:
- You will receive the forms via your child's patient portal
- Teacher Assessments will be sent via email to complete. Please obtain your child's teacher's email address and let him or her know to expect an email our practice regarding your child's assessment
Important! Both assessments must be returned to our office one week prior to your child's appointment.
ANXIETY
Assessment tools for anxiety that may be assigned to you include:
- Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) - Parent
- Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) - Child
If assigned, please:
- You will receive the forms via your child's patient portal
- Both you and your child will need to complete the appropriate online SCARED assessment.
Important! Both assessments must be completed one week prior to your child's appointment.
DEPRESSION
- Assessment tools for depression that may be assigned to you include:
- Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ9)
- Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC)
If assigned, please:
- You will receive the forms via your child's patient portal
- Your child will need to complete both assessments
Important! Both assessments must be returned to our office one week prior to your child's appointment.
OCD
Assessment tools for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) that may be assigned to you include:
- Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS)
Important! This assessments must be returned to our office one week prior to your child's appointment.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT A BEHAVIORAL EVALUATION
At least one week prior to your appointment, complete assigned assessments noted above. On the day of your child's behavioral evaluation, please arrive 10 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time. Ideally, your child should eat a nutritious meal prior to the appointment and be well-rested.
Both you and your child will then meet with the provider who will perform a thorough assessment and develop a behavioral health management plan for your child. Our providers may recommend additional counseling to best serve your child.
If the provider prescribes medication, he/she will want to follow up with your child within 21 days to assess your child's progress and to determine if the medication can be refilled. A patient coordinator will schedule this appointment with you before you leave the office.
ONGOING MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
After your child's initial evaluation, if medication is started, your child must be seen within 21 days in order to continue the medication. If your child is doing well with his/her medication, subsequent appointments will be scheduled every 3 months. If a medication or dosage change is needed, your child must be seen within 1 month to assess your child's progress and to determine if the medication can be refilled.
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