One visit to the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Emergency Room (E.R.) led to a life-changing discovery for Mark and his family. Mark, who is non-verbal and has Autism, wasn’t feeling well for several days, prompting his mother, Michelle, to take him to the E.R. There, doctors called in a gastroenterology specialist after initial evaluations.
Dr. Caicedo Oquendo, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology Director and Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship Program Director, and his team diagnosed Mark with gastrointestinal (GI) issues – common among children with Autism. They created a care plan tailored to his needs, which led to further testing and specialist visits.
To ensure comprehensive care, Mark was also enrolled in the Undiagnosed Disease Clinic at Nicklaus Children’s. There, Dr. Jayakar, Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists Clinical Genetics and Metabolism Chief and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Division of Clinical Genetics and Metabolism Director, identified a rare genetic mutation associated with intellectual disability and heart conditions. This discovery helps Mark’s family better understand his medical needs and provide proactive care.
Thanks to the expertise and dedication of the teams at the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and the Undiagnosed Disease Clinic at Nicklaus Children’s, Mark is thriving today and is a perfect example of how living with Autism is not a disability, but a super ability.