Donald Gerken, DC
Gerken Family Chiropractic
88 E. Bonita Rd., Ste. E
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Telephone: 619-422-3088
Fax: 619-422-3988
Email: drsgerken@sbcglobal.net
Website: www.GerkenFamilyChiropractic.com
1. What are the primary medical specialties in which you were originally trained (e.g., pediatrics, family medicine)?
Received my chiropractic degree from Los Angeles College of Chiropractic in 1994. Received the Diplomate in Chiropractic Pediatrics for completing 360 hour diplomate program, 2008.
2. Approximately how many individuals with autism have you treated, and what is the age range?
Hundreds of kids, dozens with developmental disorders. Every individual is unique.
3. Do you usually have a waiting list?
No. When the paperwork is complete and your deposit is in, we schedule an appointment at the soonest opportunity.
4. On the average, how long do you spend face-to-face with a new patient for an initial consultation?
Usually spend up to an hour for a new patient consultation (child's history, parents' hopes & goals), then a full exam. Consultations require completed paperwork and $150 deposit. The exam fee is $400.
5. After the first consultation, what is the average length of an appointment?
Varies from 15 to 40 minutes.
6. Are your patients advised to use special diets such as GF/CF, SCD, low-oxalate, etc.?
None of my patients are required to do anything. In my experience, many of the imbalances seen in children with autism are magnified by their past or current diet. GF/CF has shown to help many kids when done correctly but it is not for everyone.
7. Can you collaborate with other specialists we will be dealing with (e.g., gastroenterologists)?
Yes! I am very happy to work with any specialist or any other member of your child's healthcare team.
8. Are you willing to collaborate on treatment and testing with a child’s pediatrician if he/she is receptive?
Yes! I require that you maintain your child's primary care provider, and I am happy to work with your child's healthcare team.
9. Do you or anyone in your office speak languages other than English?
I read and understand some Spanish and I am learning to speak Spanish in my spare time. All of my paperwork is available in Spanish. Rosa, my offfice manager, is bilingual and assists me in cases where my Spanish is not sufficient.
10. Are you willing to offer phone consultations for distant patients?
Most of the therapy and treatment I do is "hands on," which is my specialty. However, I do some telephone consultation on a case by case basis.
11. Do you provide any form of after-hours support?
Yes, on a case by case basis.
12. Do you sell proprietary nutritional supplements or have a sales agreement with supplement suppliers? Do you sell supplements at list price or less?
I am not an exclusive distributor of anything but the products I use and carry have more potency and are more effective than most you can buy off of the shelves in a pharmacy or health food store. I use the manufacture suggested retail price.
13. Do you take insurance? If not, do you provide organized, coded insurance forms?
I do not take assignment from insurance companies but I am happy to provide you with organized coded information along with a receipt for you to submit.
14. Do you bill for laboratory tests done by commercial laboratories? How do you break down the fees?
We have found it easier and more cost effective for the patient to pay the lab tests directly with the lab of their choice. I am always happy to make a reccommendation if the patient does not have a lab of choice.
15. Is there a reason you might not bill for an office visit?
On occasion there can be a special instance or case when an office visit is not billed. Of course we allow potential patients, parents, guardians and just about anyone to tour our office free of charge.
Defeat Autism Now! (DAN!) Conferences: Fall 2007, Completed Clinician Seminar 2007; Fall 2008, Completed Level II Clinician Seminar Fall 2008
If there is a discrepency between the responses listed above and the practitioner's actual practice, please write to us at: ARI, 4182 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA 92116; or fax: (619) 563-6840