Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders

I recently moved from another state and I am struggling to find a doctor for continuing care for my son’s autism. I spoke with two different office staff members here and both were extremely rude. I have called many other offices and I myself work in the front office of a medical facility and no one else spoke down to me like the staff here did. Instead of explaining to me why my son wasn’t a good fit they ( especially the woman in the front office) treated me like an idiot for calling. When asked what children who have already been diagnosed do for care I could feel the annoyance that I even called let alone darned to ask questions. Again I have called many offices looking for care and noone else has been so rude. If I heard a fellow coworker speak to patients the way they did to me I would be so embarrassed. Hopefully the doctor is amazing to make up for the rest of the office.

Dr. Sara Bollens is an extraordinary person who has helped our family tremendously by doing psychological testing for my daughter at the Center after her autism diagnosis. She is warm, knowledgable and a great asset to the fascility. She does not only care for her patients, but also shows regard and genuine care for the parents as well. I am forever grateful to Dr. Bollens and look forward to having our paths cross again at the Center for Autism in Costa Mesa. Warmest regards, Ivana

This place has atrocious customer service. Staff (intake coordinator) never returns calls. I was told by my child’s therapist that COA would help me complete the intake forms, including providing extensive medical information, during the time of intake, which is an outright lie. I’ve tried for more than one year just to get on the waitlist for testing and I was just told that I need to start the intake process all over again by completing 19+ pages of forms. In the meantime, the child continues to have escalating mental health hospitalizations and I can’t even get info on Autism support groups in the area. It’s outrageous and unacceptable. It seems that there must be regulatory oversight that allows for registering formal complaints with this joke of an agency. It’s inhumane how they treat potential patients and their family.

It took me 2 weeks to reach them. It was very very complicated and they transfer me to different departments and each time I got different information. Thanks to my logic I was able to find the right one myself. No responses for phone calls and left messages. So, I visited them. Finally, I was able to find the office STILL try to make an appointment and they said it take 9 months waiting list just to get an appointment. I filled their new patient form they gave me and that is all. No confirmation, nothing. I wont be surprise if they trash it. I got it, they signaled me "Do not bother us". It was a very bad experience. Looking for another option.

9/19/19: It is too hard to contact them. I have been calling them for two weeks. Nobody pickup the phone. I believe that EDD or DMV has better contact service. 9/27/19: Finally, I talked with staff and submitted new patient package. They told me I should wait 6 weeks for the review 11/14/19: New patient package review was done. And I got a new authorization from my insurance for my son developing test. Yes. They still... never pick up the phone. 11/20/19: Fortunately, the staff picked up the phone for the scheduling. She told me the earliest date is 1/28/20! What!! My insurance authorization effective date is around end of December 2019. Now... I do not know what I have to say...