DocMcCafferty
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docmccafferty.bsky.social
DocMcCafferty
@docmccafferty.bsky.social
Consultant Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrician | Business Owner | Advocate #NavyVeteran #1stGen #DoctorMom #TrainingMatters #SurfLife #AuDHD #ADHD #Autism *Views my Own*

Www.breakwatercenter.org
It’s impossible to create a path forward, when a shocking number of Americans don’t seem to know ( or don’t seem to care) about anyone who was ONLY able to survive childhood because of Medicaid and SNAP benefits. 💔
November 12, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Pediatricians can diagnose autism for Medicaid patients in South Carolina.

Without An ADOS. No Re-evals. School Evals count.

Some can even start ABA without a diagnosis, if at-risk on a secondary screener… love this. So much potential. So much less waiting.
November 8, 2025 at 4:53 AM
So much work to get to this point…pediatricians are going to be able to diagnose autism in South Carolina and refer for services, so that the children most in need, will not have to wait 1-2 years to see a subspecialist!

Absolutely incredible. I’m still in shock.

www.scdhhs.gov/communicatio...
Autism Spectrum Disorder Services Provider Manual Update | SCDHHS
Effective for dates of service on or after Sept. 1, 2025, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) will update the medical necessity requirements for autism spectrum disorde...
www.scdhhs.gov
August 8, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Engaging online these days, even for networking and education, can be physically painful for those of us working tirelessly to ensure our nation’s children can access high-quality, evidence-based healthcare.

But I know there is good out there. Stay the course… positive change is coming!
July 30, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Today I became a Board-Certified Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician.

Over 15 years in the making… and this is the least exciting thing that I’ve accomplished in my medical career as I wrap up this beautiful day in Columbia with my policy team.

… More to come and I can’t wait to share it!
May 15, 2025 at 7:55 PM
When the prevalence of autism drops dramatically over the next 5 years; it won’t be because autism was “cured”

After decades of promoting awareness, acceptance, clinicians are seeing families actively choose to delay an ASD diagnosis in an effort to protect their children from…
April 27, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Reposted by DocMcCafferty
Autism Books You Should Know: Nobody's Normal. "With autism the boundary lines are drawn more by culture than by nature. While most of us can easily tell the difference between yellow becomes orange, we probably can't agree on exactly where yellow ends & orange begins."

bookshop.org/p/books/nobo...
April 14, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Might not seem like much; but having grown up with extreme food and home insecurity… a dream I never thought I’d be able to dream out loud, was to own a real home with an orange tree in the back yard.

And I actually did it…

So this little guy needs a name, suggestions?
March 29, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Life is such an adventure… nothing like an exciting discovery, at the end of a long day… after a 2 hour bball practice… an hour away from home..

But at least I got to teach my 11yo how to change a tire. #silverlinings
March 26, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Once upon a time I worked in naval intelligence.

Once upon a time I was responsible for highly classified information.

This is a BIG DEAL.

I simply can not process the absolute idiocy underlying recent national security events. Absolute, Mind-boggling incompetence among unserious people.

WTAH
March 25, 2025 at 3:27 AM
My 5 year old:

“Goodnight brain. Goodnight body. Don’t try anything silly. We need to get sleep so we can grow big and beat daddy in a pillow fight. NO WIGGLES!”

❤️❤️
March 21, 2025 at 12:59 AM
That one time I tried to transition away from ‘the bad place’, at the same time I was transitioning out of fellowship, into multiple fulfilling professional roles

But missed connecting with colleagues so came back to Bluesky, and realized I’m the asshole who didn’t follow anyone back. On it. 🙃😵‍💫🫠
March 20, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Reposted by DocMcCafferty
When You Have No Choice But ABA Therapy: You may know that ABA is a questionable therapy for autistic kids, one many autism advocates think should be abandoned. But since not every parent can avoid ABA, what can those parents do to protect their kids?

thinkingautismguide.com/2025/03/when... #autism
When You Have No Choice But ABA Therapy — THINKING PERSON'S GUIDE TO AUTISM
ABA therapy is a known to be a questionable autism practice. But not every parent can choose to avoid ABA. What are those parents' options?
thinkingautismguide.com
March 20, 2025 at 12:48 AM
My 9yo told me that she and her bestie got in trouble for laughing at two boys who were competing for the loudest farts during their lock down drill a few days ago.

And when I delicately suggested she prepare as if it’s real, she said…
January 10, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Reposted by DocMcCafferty
Changing perspective changes outcomes. Try it!
December 22, 2024 at 12:27 AM
Policy work wasn’t part of the plan. But when your colleagues advocate for you AND your director gives you a seat at the big table, you sit.

As a Peds Subspecialist, you have more power than you realize. Do NOT settle. But if you stumble into a place that fits… it’s ok to stay where you are valued.
December 19, 2024 at 5:04 AM
Wanting to give families hope… the possibility of a miracle… is why I wanted to pursue neonatology.

Realizing I wouldn’t be happy unless I had the chance to help those incredible little miracles navigate all of their life’s milestones, is why I chose Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics ❤️
December 18, 2024 at 3:05 AM
My two favorite things in life are being with my kids, and not being with my kids. It’s not complicated. It’s parenting.
December 13, 2024 at 1:50 AM
Watching Cervical Cancer destroy my family left deep scars…

But it made me fight for access to the vaccine in 2006. I was 20, Multiple male docs refused it for no good reason

And empowered me to vaccinate my daughters on their 9th bdays with no hesitation.

Why wouldn’t you prevent cancer?
A little louder for the folks in the back:

The development of vaccines is likely the greatest achievement of mankind.

www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/202...
December 10, 2024 at 5:28 AM
The best part about owning my own DBP micro practice??

No arbitrary time limits with patients. It’s takes how long it takes. ❤️

Feeling incredibly blessed to be able to meet families where they are.
December 10, 2024 at 4:30 AM
They say you can get a job anywhere as a DBP.

But they never talk about how the details aren’t really up to you…

I had a long chat with a friend considering a DBP position in the states, from one of those “damned socialist” countries where access to healthcare is built into the fabric of society
December 5, 2024 at 3:59 AM
Tomorrow we find out how many DBP fellowship spots go unfilled “because no one wants to do this job”

… Careful though

Don’t confuse not wanting to do a job, with not wanting or being able to pursue a fellowship….
December 4, 2024 at 3:48 AM
I’m not a jerk. I promise. Mostly

But my engagement here has been terrible and that’s my fault. But since I truly want to thrive here, what happened was…

Halfway through my DBP fellowship, I found myself in a vulnerable and precarious position, setting my fight or flight response into overdrive
December 2, 2024 at 6:31 AM
What is the best book you read recently that gave you hope, changed your perspective, truly shocked or surprised you. Any genre. For next years’ book list…

Bonus points for themes of karma, rebirth, unparalleled strategy, treacherous partnerships, secret allies, victorious underdogs…
December 2, 2024 at 3:51 AM