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Who We Are2025-05-29T14:47:55-05:00

Board-Certified Pediatric Specialists

Compassionate Care. Expert Guidance. Personalized Support.

We believe that every child’s development is a journey—and no family should have to navigate it alone. Our team is dedicated to providing specialized pediatric care that helps children reach their full potential, all while making the process simple, accessible, and compassionate for families across Texas.

At Developing Minds Pediatric Consultants, we are here to bridge the gap in developmental care by providing expert evaluations, personalized treatment plans, and ongoing support, all through telemedicine. By removing barriers like long waitlists and travel challenges, we help families get the care they need when they need it.

What to Expect
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Developing Minds
Pediatric Consultants, PLLC
607 E Blanco Rd. PO Box 2330
Boerne, TX 78006

[email protected]
Local: (830) 205-1040
Toll-free: (833) 205-3636
Fax: (830) 205-5348

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Dr. Harkins and Una Childers, providing developmental and behavioral pediatrics to families across Texas.
Meet Your Care Team

Our Story

Accessible Care for Every Child

Developing Minds Pediatric Consultants is the result of our shared vision and commitment to supporting children and families. Together, we bring over 35 years of combined experience in diagnosing and treating children with developmental, learning, and behavioral challenges. For more than a decade, we have worked side by side, helping families throughout Texas navigate the complexities of conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disorders, and behavioral health concerns.

Our passion for providing timely, expert care—combined with our own experiences as parents of children with learning differences—led us to create a new model of care that puts families first. We understand the frustration of long waitlists, the uncertainty of navigating a diagnosis, and the importance of having a trusted provider who truly listens. That’s why we founded Developing Minds Pediatric Consultants—to provide expert, compassionate care that makes a real difference in the lives of children and their families.

Meet Your Care Team

Supporting Your Child’s Development

Circular headshot of Una Childers, MPAS, PA-C, Board-Certified Physician Associate and Founder of Developing Minds Pediatric Consultants.Photo of Una Childers as a young child.

Una Childers, MPAS, PA-C

Founder | Board-Certified Physician Associate
Circular headshot of Dr. Patricia Harkins, Board-Certified Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrician and Medical Director at Developing Minds Pediatric Consultants.Photo of Dr. Patricia Harkins as a baby.

Dr. Patricia Harkins, MD, FAAP

Medical Director | Board-Certified Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrician
A mother with her happy, healthy child who has benefited from developmental and behavioral pediatrics.

What to Expect

When You Reach Out

Your journey begins with scheduling an appointment online or reaching out to our team. We’re here to answer any questions and help you prepare for your first visit. Once your appointment is confirmed, we will send you a secure email with important next steps.
Before your first appointment, you’ll receive a secure email with a link to complete new patient forms, including a developmental history questionnaire. This is your opportunity to provide details about your child’s strengths, challenges, and any concerns you’d like to discuss.

By completing these forms ahead of time, your provider can give their full attention to understanding your child’s needs and providing a thorough evaluation. A specialist may contact you before your appointment to review your child’s history and ensure all necessary information is gathered.

Your hour-long, secure telemedicine consultation is designed to feel as engaging and comprehensive as possible, while allowing you and your child to remain in the comfort of your home environment.

Preparing for Your Telemedicine Consultation
To make the most of your child’s evaluation, we recommend:

  • Choosing the right space – A quiet, comfortable area with minimal distractions is ideal. Having space to move around and interact naturally will help your provider observe your child’s behaviors and responses.
  • Using a device with a camera and microphone – A laptop or tablet works best, but a smartphone is also fine.
  • Gathering a few simple toys – Items like blocks, shape sorters, puzzles, or balls can help with certain assessment tasks. Feel free to have preferred toys or objects your child gravitates toward, but please NO electronic toys, phones, or tablets. Also, please don’t have too many toys as this can distract the child. We are most interested in the child-parent relationship and interactions.
  • Having a snack nearby – A favorite snack in a clear container can be useful for observing communication and problem-solving skills.

During the Consultation
Your provider will review your child’s developmental history, discuss concerns, and conduct an initial assessment. This will include:

  • Observing how your child interacts with you, their environment, and the provider.
  • Asking you to engage in specific activities with your child.
  • Observing your child’s behaviors and their responses to the behavior of others.
  • Examining your child’s verbal and nonverbal communication skills.
Following the initial consultation, your provider may recommend additional tests, assessments, or input from other caregivers to gain a more complete picture of your child’s development. This may include:

  • Ordering specific tests or assessments – Depending on your child’s age and needs, this may include screening tools, lab work, genetic testing, cognitive testing, or autism-specific assessments like the ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule).
  • Requesting input from parents and teachers – We may ask you to complete standardized rating scales and provide feedback on your child’s behaviors at home, school, or daycare. This information is essential for understanding how your child functions in different environments.
  • Reviewing past evaluations – If your child has undergone previous assessments or has other medical diagnoses, we may request records to ensure a comprehensive evaluation.
  • Requesting a short video – In some cases, we may ask you to submit a brief video of your child interacting with a same-aged peer. This can provide valuable insight into your child’s social skills, communication, and engagement in a natural setting.
After all assessments, rating scales, and recommended tests have been completed, your provider will carefully analyze the data to develop a clear, evidence-based understanding of your child’s developmental profile before formulating a diagnosis and treatment plan.

At Developing Minds, we take a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to every evaluation. While providers often conduct assessments independently, we collaborate as needed to ensure the most accurate and well-informed diagnosis and treatment recommendations.

During this visit, your provider will:

  • Review pertinent history findings and discuss key insights from the initial consultation.
  • Utilize standardized diagnostic tools to provide a comprehensive medical diagnostic report.
  • Order lab work or additional medical testing, if necessary, to further evaluate underlying medical factors.
  • Outline a detailed treatment plan, which may include therapy recommendations, interventions, medication options, and support strategies for home and school.

The hour-long parent conference with both parents and no children is designed to give you a clear understanding of your child’s diagnosis and next steps, along with the tools and resources needed to support your child along their developmental journey.

After the parent conference, follow-up visits can be scheduled as needed for ongoing support.

Virtual Pediatric Care

Board-Certified Experts in Texas Without the Wait

We are a Direct Care Practice, which means we do not accept insurance and operate on a fee-for-service model. We provide superbills that families can submit for possible reimbursement—coverage depends on your individual plan. Our fees are based on time spent with the provider.

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Comprehensive Online Diagnosis

Our evaluations are led by a Board-Certified Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician with the highest level of expertise in diagnosing and treating developmental, learning, and behavioral conditions.

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Convenient, Accessible Telemedicine

Our virtual model removes barriers to care, offering expert evaluations without long wait times or extensive travel getting in the way.

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Compassionate, Ongoing Support

We go beyond diagnosis, providing personalized treatment plans, medication management, and follow-up care through age 18 to ensure children and families have the support they need.

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FAQs

What is the typical wait time for a new patient?2025-05-28T13:43:17-05:00

Most new patients are scheduled within 3-10 business days.

Do I need a referral to schedule an appointment?2025-06-05T16:56:19-05:00

No, a referral is not required to schedule an evaluation with us.

Will my provider prescribe medication if needed?2025-05-28T13:39:41-05:00

Yes, if appropriate, we may discuss medication options as part of your child’s treatment plan. All medications are sent electronically to the pharmacy the patient has on file with our office.

Do you offer after-hours care?2025-05-28T13:41:49-05:00

Yes, in some cases, we are available outside typical business hours for urgent needs. We also offer some Saturday appointment times.

How long from the first visit until my child may receive a diagnosis?2025-05-28T13:41:11-05:00

It depends. Some children may receive a diagnosis after their initial consultation, particularly if they have been previously evaluated elsewhere or referred with strong supporting documentation. For patients undergoing a comprehensive evaluation, the time from the initial consultation to the parent conference and diagnosis report depends on how quickly assessments are completed.

How can a diagnosis of autism be made in a virtual setting?2025-05-28T13:40:33-05:00

We follow the highest clinical standards for virtual evaluations and use standardized diagnostic tools to ensure accuracy. In some cases, we may recommend in-person testing or additional assessments to gather more information.

Virtual visits are designed to bridge a gap in specialized care, reduce wait times for children to receive a diagnosis, and decrease strain on families. They are not intended to replace all in-person care. If you have serious concerns about your child’s development, we always recommend discussing them with your child’s pediatrician or primary care provider or scheduling an in-person evaluation.

What happens after my child gets a diagnosis?2025-05-28T13:39:55-05:00

Getting a diagnosis is not the end of the journey; it is an important step along the way. It is not a label or a sentence, but a shorthand for a pattern of strengths and weaknesses. They are the same child as they were before this assessment. But now you can understand them better.

Does our family need to be in Texas for a virtual visit?2025-05-28T13:42:23-05:00

Yes. At this time, our providers are licensed to see patients who reside in Texas.

Do you offer urgent care services?2025-05-28T13:41:32-05:00

No. If your child has an acute medical concern, they should see their primary care provider or pediatrician.

Are there specific conditions your office does not treat?2025-05-28T13:39:24-05:00

Yes, we do not provide treatment for:

  • Primary psychiatric disorders, such as Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, schizophrenia, or severe mood disorders
  • Acute crises, including suicidal or homicidal ideation or a history of these types of acute crisis
  • Patients who have been previously hospitalized for psychiatric illness
  • Substance use disorders or addiction

Children with these concerns should be evaluated by a child psychiatrist or appropriate specialist. If needed, we can help guide families toward appropriate resources.

What is Direct Care?2025-05-28T13:38:23-05:00

We’ve chosen a direct care model because it allows us to focus our time and energy on what matters most—your child’s care. Insurance billing is often complex and inconsistent, and it can restrict not only how much time we spend with families but also dictating how appointments are structured. To provide comprehensive, hour-long visits that are tailored to your child’s unique needs, we operate on a fee-for-service basis. Payment is due at the time of service, and we’re happy to provide a superbill upon request for families to submit to their insurance for reimbursement, according to their plan.

We accept all major credit cards as well as ACH (bank transfer) payments for your convenience. Please call our office if you have questions about our financial policy or other office policy.

Do you offer in-person visits?2025-05-28T13:38:37-05:00

Not at this time. Our services are provided through telemedicine to increase accessibility for families across Texas.

Our Policies

Running late or need to cancel? Please give us at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule to avoid cancellation fees.

Need a refill? Please allow 3 business days. Same-day refill requests may include a small fee. To keep your child’s care on track, follow-up appointments are required for ongoing medications.
We return non-urgent messages within one business day. If your concern is urgent, please don’t use email or the portal—call us directly. For emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.
Developing Minds Pediatric Consultants, PLLC is committed to maintaining the privacy and security of your protected health information in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Our Notice of Privacy Practices describes how medical information about your child may be used and disclosed, and outlines your legal rights regarding that information.

A copy of this notice is available for download through your patient portal. You may also request a printed copy at any time.

We’ve chosen a direct care model because it allows us to focus our time and energy on what matters most—your child’s care. Insurance billing is often complex and inconsistent, and it can restrict not only how much time we spend with families but also dictating how appointments are structured. To provide comprehensive, hour-long visits that are tailored to your child’s unique needs, we operate on a fee-for-service basis. Payment is due at the time of service, and we’re happy to provide a superbill upon request for families to submit to their insurance for reimbursement, according to their plan.

We accept all major credit cards as well as ACH (bank transfer) payments for your convenience. Please call our office if you have questions about our financial policy or other office policy.

Four children standing outside, smiling after receiving care from Board-Certified Pediatric Specialists.
Photo of a young child lying on the ground outside, enjoying his life after receiving care from Board-Certified Pediatric Specialists.

Let’s Connect

Get Your Child the Help They Need

Please submit your contact information in the form below, and we’ll give you a call at the provided number.

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