Long Island pediatrician launches autism care startup

A seasoned pediatrician – and a mother of children with autism spectrum disorder – Dr. Sania Wilkins is bringing a personal and professional perspective to autism care through her new venture, I Get You, a company based in Plainview.

I Get You focuses on early diagnosis, support and advocacy for families navigating autism and developmental challenges.

“I named the practice ‘I Get You’ because I really do,” Wilkins said. “I’ve lived this as a parent and as a pediatrician.”

Wilkins is launching the company at a time when about one in 31 children aged 8 has been identified with having autism spectrum disorder, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. In addition, about 1 in six between the ages of three and 17 have been diagnosed with a developmental disability.

“It’s sad that the age of diagnosis still to this day is five years of age,” Wilkins said. “That means that kids in the zero-to-three-year-old window are not getting early intervention and services they need that would get them ready for school/kindergarten.”

Wilkins works with families to identify developmental challenges beginning at 16 months, to connect families with resources quickly and to ensure parents feel supported rather than overwhelmed.

As a parent, “it’s very hard to navigate,” Wilkins said of the process of diagnosing, and pinpointing available resources and services. “Even for me, I’d think: ‘Wait, what paperwork do I need, who do I call, did I miss that message?’”

I Get You provides initial autism evaluations for children 16 months to six years of age, and for those who needs recertification if they already have paperwork stating a previous diagnosis, in order to get continued services. The practice also offers mental health evaluations and management for anyone with mild to moderate issues.

Her focus, she said, is to “get those kids in as early as possible to make sure that they have a good headstart on life.”

Wilkins launched I Get You after years of running her own pediatric practice. But when the healthcare conglomerate that owned her thriving Port Washington pediatric practice decided to shut down the location, Wilkins ultimately refocused her efforts toward early autism evaluation and behavioral health care.

Wilkins has long focused on behavioral health services, including mild-to-moderate anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. While medication may be appropriate, Wilkins speaks with families to determine if other services may be needed to make treatment more holistic.

Now, she is spreading the word about her services with other pediatricians, and through social media. And while Wilkins would like office space for evaluations, the platform allows her to provide services across the state, where access to services may be limited. She is offering free consultations that can be booked on her website.

Her vision is to turn her company into a one-stop-shop, complete with parent groups and an occasional online meeting on areas such as guardianship, something parents may not have considered yet.

“My dream is that when a family comes in, they’re supported by the ‘avengers of autism,’” she said, referring to nutritionists, advocates, therapists and more so that parents don’t have to find new avenues of support.

At I Get You, she said, “you will literally have your team.”