docmccafferty.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

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!

submitted 45 days ago • 2 comments

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…

submitted 63 days ago • 2 comments

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...

submitted 77 days ago • 3 comments

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?

submitted 93 days ago • 1 comment

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

submitted 96 days ago • 0 comments

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

submitted 97 days ago • 0 comments

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!” ❤️❤️

submitted 101 days ago • 0 comments

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. 🙃😵‍💫🫠

submitted 101 days ago • 0 comments

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

submitted 102 days ago • 8 comments

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…

submitted 170 days ago • 1 comment

Changing perspective changes outcomes. Try it!

submitted 190 days ago • 0 comments

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.

submitted 193 days ago • 0 comments

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 ❤️

submitted 194 days ago • 0 comments

My two favorite things in life are being with my kids, and not being with my kids. It’s not complicated. It’s parenting.

submitted 199 days ago • 0 comments

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?

submitted 201 days ago • 1 comment

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.

submitted 202 days ago • 0 comments

We are not serious people.

submitted 205 days ago • 0 comments

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

submitted 207 days ago • 1 comment

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….

submitted 208 days ago • 0 comments

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

submitted 209 days ago • 1 comment

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…

submitted 210 days ago • 0 comments

My kids thought I was joking when I said we were watching musicals all day while I cooked all the things they wouldn’t eat… The Greatest Showman Chicago Phantom of the Opera Hamilton Rent… What an excellent day… ❤️

submitted 213 days ago • 0 comments

My kids and their friends are playing Two Truths and a Cap #GenAlpha #NoCap

submitted 217 days ago • 0 comments

Getting the family ready for another week… trying to prepare myself for gestures aimlessly in the air whatever absurdity this week will bring.

submitted 224 days ago • 0 comments

One of my projects includes assessing the requirements to obtain an autism diagnosis (for Medicaid) and how it differs across the states The wide variability is one of many reasons it is so difficult to obtain a diagnosis that meets eligibility criteria for autism services The stories I’ve heard…

submitted 228 days ago • 0 comments

What about #Charleston or #SouthCarolina? Any fellow blue voters in a purple city / red state?

submitted 230 days ago • 1 comment

Here at the Pediatrician’s office for well child checkups for 9 and 5. MA: “Do you want the…” Me: “Yes. All of them. The answer is yes. Especially the HPV vaccine for 9. You got the Covid booster yet?” #GottaGetThemAll #vaccinate

submitted 230 days ago • 0 comments

This may be a niche within a niche, but is there a #DevPedsky on #Pedsky yet? Where are my clinicians, caring for our neurodiverse kiddos? Diagnosing ADHD and Autism, screening for co-occurring conditions, managing meds when needed, protecting their mental health? About to create it…

submitted 230 days ago • 1 comment

Recent autism eval in a rural clinic 4yo girl Mama tells me she always suspected, but was told not to worry… because smiles and eye contact Took me < 5min to confirm. Spent another 90 min reaffirming BOTH mama’s intuition AND the child’s strengths Two things can be true. Trust your instincts.

submitted 231 days ago • 0 comments