My children, ages 12 and 14, have been seeing Dr. Surpris for several years, and I cannot express how grateful I am for the care she has provided. Both of my children have diagnoses of Autism, ADHD, and Anxiety. Managing these conditions can be complex due to the common comorbidities that accompany them. While there isn’t a specific medication for Autism, as there is for ADHD and Anxiety, Dr. Surpris is incredible at treating the symptoms of Autism and other co-occurring conditions.

My children primarily see Dr. Surpris for their Anxiety. Their pediatrician manages their ADHD medications, as they were diagnosed with ADHD before meeting Dr. Surpris. That said, Dr. Surpris always takes the time to ensure their focus and attention are on track, asking thoughtful questions and carefully reviewing their progress.

One of the standout qualities of Dr. Surpris is her commitment to thorough, thoughtful care. She was very confident in her initial assessment that my daughter might be on the Autism spectrum, which led to a multi-year process of evaluations with a Neuropsychologist. After three separate evaluations, with the Neuropsychologist. my daughter was diagnosed with Atypical Autism. As many parents know, diagnosing girls with Autism can be more challenging, and I greatly appreciate how Dr. Surpris advocated for my daughter, discussing her concerns directly with the Neuropsychologist to ensure we stayed on track. Her persistence was instrumental in guiding us through this process.

What I love most about Dr. Surpris is her approach to appointments. She never rushes us. She takes the time to listen to my children, asks them thoughtful questions, and truly values their input. She also listens to my observations as a parent, which is rare and important in a doctor-patient relationship. My husband has also participated in several calls with Dr. Surpris, and we both agree she is kind, respectful, and genuinely invested in our children’s well-being.

Sadly, not all psychiatrists take the time to consider the proper medication dosage for kids. Some are quick to over-medicate or push higher dosages. Dr. Surpris, however, is very conservative when it comes to prescribing medications. After our second intake session, she was able to diagnose my children’s Anxiety and began a medication regimen that started with the lowest possible dosage, with gradual adjustments based on progress. We appreciate that she never pushes for a “quick fix.” Instead, she is thoughtful and patient, carefully monitoring how the medications are working and adjusting them as needed.

The process of finding the right medication and dosage can take time, and Dr. Surpris is always clear with us about the process. At each monthly appointment, we discuss how things are going, and sometimes the medication dosage may be adjusted, or another medication may be added. When a child is on the right dosage, appointments may move to every other month. However, if the dosage isn’t quite right yet, I have found it essential to continue seeing Dr. Surpris monthly to ensure we stay on track.

One other benefit I truly appreciate is that Dr. Surpris offers telehealth appointments. This eliminates the wait times often associated with in-person visits, which is incredibly convenient for our busy family.

A small but important reminder: always make sure to book your next appointment with Barbara, the office manager, after each visit. It’s essential to stay proactive about scheduling appointments to ensure there are no gaps in care or medication refills.