Dr. Patricia Harkins
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
San Antonio, TX
33 years experience female
Locations
Harkins And Associates, Inc
San Antonio, TX
My office hours
Thursday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Show morePhone
Insurances accepted
Aetna
BlueCross BlueShield
UnitedHealthcare
Humana Insurance Company
Tricare
About
Bio
I am a mother to 2 adult children - one with Asperger Syndrome, and the other with ADHD. I have extensive experience treating children with autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, learning disabilities, developmental delays, genetic disorders, and other developmental issues.
I grew up in New Jersey, worked as an engineer, and did graduate work in biomedical engineering at Harvard and MIT. My undergraduate degree was from Rice in Mechanical Engineering. I absolutely love being a pediatrician, and now specialize in developmental disorders. I am board certified in both General and Developmental/Behavioral Pediatrics. I have learned a great deal from other parents and from my patients. I would never choose another profession.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Pediatrics
Doctor Q&A
84 Answers
32 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Yes: Most women feel very tired in the first trimester. Usually energy returns until later in pregnancy, when it can be very difficult to get adequate sle... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
How old is he?: Babies start vocalizing with vowel sounds. By 9 months, you should start to hear consonants such as ba, ma, da. If he is older than 9 months and onl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Genetics and autism: There are great advances in the genetics of autism spectrum disorders, but they are not good enough to predict based on genetic testing. A normal gen... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
No answer: That is not a know association with autism, but it would not surprise me it it was.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Yes: People with speech delay are somewhat more likely to be left handed than the general population. People with mixed dominance (e.g. Left eye and righ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Autism rarely: Very few people with an autism spectrum disorder lose the diagnosis, but many learn the skills needed for independent life. With adhd, boys are more ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Big: Dysphasia/aphasia is an expressive language disorder. It means you can't find the words you need when you need them. In autism spectrum disorders, t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Head growth: As we grow, the lower face grows more than the skull. So what you see is likely the mid face and jaw growing, and lengthening of the overall head.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 53-year-old female asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Possible: Possible, but it has nothing to do with her autism.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
None: Juice is just sugar and water. If your baby takes adequate formula, she does not need extra vitamin c (most people's reason to give juice). It just ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Echolalia: This is echolalia and is often seen in children with autism spectrum disorders. However, it does not define the condition by itself. Talk to your pe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Good nutrition: There are no save supplements. A normal multivitamin is ok. Otherwise, your genes and fitness guide your growth and development.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old male asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
No : Stretching the spine cannot make it grow. It may temporarily increase the disks between the bones, but as soon as you stand, you lose the effect. In... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old male asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Diet: There are many chemicals in our diet that can make headaches worse. I recommend people eat "real food" - meaning food with no artificial ingredients ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Not ovulating: If sexually active, the answer is pregnant until proven otherwise. You could also have an ovarian cyst. If you don't ovulate one month, you may get ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
No : Autism can lead to a lot of difficulties, and so can transgerder status. I don't think one makes the other worse.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Does 6q deletion always involve mental retardation? or can some develope a normal cognitive ability?
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
No: This is a very rare disorder, so it is difficult to predict in an individual child. However, the cognitive skills of those reported from mental retar... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old male asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
One is ok: Most women ovulate about 14 days after the start of the last period. So until she is pregnant a drink will not affect the future pregnancy. After 14... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old female asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Normal: In-toeing is common and usually not a problem. Most will outgrow it. It does not interfere with motor development. An interesting fact is about 50%... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Ok: Yes it is normal, especially if on clomid (clomiphene). Discuss it with your doctor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Sleeve surgery: The gastric sleeve involves removing part of the stomach. It removes a large portion, forcing you to eat less. The part removed produces leptin, whi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Gyne: You could have endometriosis or a uti. Definitely see your gynecologist.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Yes: They are genetic and inherited.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Possible: Autism rates are increased when there is a family history. It is common for many people to have parts of it - anxiety, language delay, etc. When all... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Yes: With adhd, too much stimulant can make you lethargic. Caffeine is a stimulant. You appear to be sensitive to it. An energy drink has much more caff... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Bullying: Many adults who were victims of bullying have anxiety disorders lasting into adult life. It can be so bad that it qualifies as post traumatic stress ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
PDD: Pdd means pervasive developmental disorder. It is no longer in use in the usa. It is part of the autism spectrum disorder, and should be referred t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Not alone: I haven't hear of short umbilical cords being associated with autism spectrum disorders. T.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Day night reversed: Wake the baby from naps before his is ready to wake, and feed him each time. When he wakes at night, don't feed him fully. If you decrease calories ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Short answer: When he no longer falls out of it.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
See your OB: Your obstetrician should guide your care while pregnant. You can certainly follow your weight to aim for a healthy weight gain while pregnant. If yo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
20's: The salicylates in Aspirin are the usual cause of reyes syndrome. They are found in other products, such as pepto bismal (bismuth salicylate) and pep... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Depends: It depends on the type of dyslexia. There are many good programs for the auditory types of dyslexia, such as orton-gillingham, lexia, and scottish ri... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old female asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Maybe: Anxiety can make you more sensitive to pain. It may not be the root cause, but it can make things worse.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Early: As soon as testosterone increases, muscle mass starts to increase.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
No: Not in my experience. I see the same age range of puberty in my autistic girls as i did when i practiced general pediatrics.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
?pregnant: Until proven otherwise, pregnancy is the most likely reason to be late. Different symptoms can signal pregnancy. Take a home pregnancy test, and cal... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
ID: Intellectual disability is the new term for what was called mentally retarded.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 54-year-old female asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Keep trying: There are many antidepressants out there. Keep working with your doctor until you find one that works well with you. When your antidepressant is rig... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
NO: Sociopaths are experts in human behavior and people with autism spectrum disorders are clueless about people.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old female asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Stress: The stress to the body of diabetes can interfere with menses. If she lost a lot of weight before the diagnosis, that can also interfere. Her anxiety... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
See your doctor: Pms can last a day to a week. With your symptoms, you could have endometriosis. See your gynecologist.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Genetics/pollution: Autism and its components tend to run in families. Parents often are engineers or belong to professions requiring close attention to detail, and not ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Yes: Timing does not matter with this, as long as the total dose is given each day. You can even give the entire 3 doses as one. Make sure he has food in... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Mucous: Mucous in stool may be draining from the nasal area, and is of no concern. It could be due to inflammation from another source. Discuss it with his ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old male asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Unlikely: Usually the pain of touching your chin to your chest is very intense with meningitis. However, if you are concerned, you should see a doctor to know ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Possible: You may be feeling ligaments stretching, which is normal. However, if it comes in waves, it could be preterm labor. Discuss it with your ob.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Green and organic: Any child can be sensitive to artificial ingredients. I think the biggest offenders are artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. So as organi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Muscle control: At 5 months, most babies don't have good control of their extremities. It is likely random movement. If it seems more deliberate, talk to your pedi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Patricia Harkinsanswered
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 33 years experience
Allergy and meds: The active ingredient in Concerta is methylphenidate. There can be other ingredients causing your allergy. Talk to your doctor about it.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
3
Recommendations
93
Thank you notes
Sep 3, 2013
Dr. Harkins provides excellent developmental pediatrics evaluations and counseling.
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Harkins is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Harkins is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! I so wish I could find therapy here to help resolve the damage in uk.
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! Thanks! His dad thinks his gums itch so he's rubbing them to stop it.
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! Thank u anyway for ur time really appreciate
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Graduated 1990MD
Residency
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Residency
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PITTSBURGH OF UPMC
Completed 1993
Awards
Top Pediatric Developmental and Behavioral Specialist, Second Place, National - Summer
2013
HealthTap Doctor Mom
Affiliations
American Academy of Pediatrics
Texas Pediatric Society
Bexar County Medical Association
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