A Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician (DBP) is a medical doctor who specializes in holistically understanding and treating the complex interplay between a child's development, behavior, and overall health. They focus on children with developmental, learning, and behavioral challenges, ranging from mild to severe. This includes conditions such as:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Learning disabilities (like dyslexia)

• Speech and language delays

• Intellectual disabilities

• Regulatory disorders (e.g., sleep, feeding issues)

• Behavioral problems (like aggression or defiance)

DBPs assess, diagnose, and create personalized treatment plans for children and families, often working with other healthcare professionals, educators, and therapists to ensure a comprehensive approach. They also provide guidance on managing the educational and social challenges these children may face, ensuring that they receive appropriate care and interventions to meet their full potential.

Our mobile clinic brings expert and comprehensive neurodevelopmental evaluations directly to your home or community. This convenient service allows your child to be at their best, making the experience more comfortable and helpful.

During a pediatric consultation, we conduct a thorough and standardized assessment of your child's developmental and behavioral skills, including their gross motor, visual/fine motor, speech/language, social engagement and temperament. We then create a personalized care plan and provide guidance and support to help you implement it effectively.

Parents may wonder if their child would benefit from a consultation with a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician when they notice patterns of developmental, behavioral, or learning challenges that differ from typical expectations. Some signs that a child may benefit from a consultation include:

Delays in Developmental Milestones

- If a child is significantly behind in acquiring skills like walking, talking, or socializing compared to peers, a DBP can assess their developmental progress. These delays could involve motor skills, speech and language, or social interaction.

Behavioral Challenges

- Persistent behavior issues such as aggression, frequent tantrums, difficulty following directions, or trouble adjusting to changes in routine may suggest an underlying concern. These behaviors might interfere with school, friendships, or family life.

Difficulty in Learning or School Performance

- If a child struggles with reading, writing, or math, or has attention issues that affect school performance (e.g., difficulty focusing, hyperactivity), a DBP can help identify learning disabilities like dyslexia or conditions such as ADHD.

Concerns about Social Interaction

- A child who has trouble making friends, understanding social cues, or engaging in typical conversations may benefit from an evaluation. This could indicate a condition like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or a related social communication issue.

Speech and Language Delays

- If a child isn't speaking or understanding language at the expected age, or if their speech is hard to understand, a consultation with a DBP can help determine if further evaluation by a speech therapist or other specialists is needed.

Feeding or Sleep Issues

- Chronic feeding problems (such as picky eating, refusing food groups, or difficulty swallowing) or sleep disturbances (such as trouble falling asleep or staying asleep) may also indicate developmental or regulatory disorders that a DBP can address.

Parental Intuition

- Parents who feel that something "isn't quite right" or have persistent concerns about their child's development or behavior should trust their instincts. Early intervention often leads to better outcomes, and a DBP can help clarify whether the concerns are significant.

Family History or Prematurity

- Children born prematurely or those with a family history of developmental delays, learning disabilities, or behavioral challenges may benefit from early monitoring and intervention.

A consultation can provide clarity, answers, and a tailored approach to help children with developmental or behavioral needs. You likely see many parents in your practice who seek this kind of personalized care, recognizing the value of early assessment and intervention.

Parents play a crucial role in supporting their child’s learning and development at home. There are several simple yet powerful ways to nurture a child’s growth through everyday activities, promoting both cognitive and social-emotional skills. Here are some effective strategies:

1. Create a Stimulating Environment

- Offer a variety of toys and materials: Provide age-appropriate puzzles, building blocks, art supplies, and books to encourage creativity, problem-solving, and exploration.

- Limit screen time: Balance screen time with hands-on activities that promote active learning and physical play.

2. Encourage Child-Led Play

- Let the child take the lead: Give them 15-20 minutes of uninterrupted, child-directed play daily, where they choose the activity, and parents follow their lead without questioning or correcting them. This helps children feel understood and boosts their confidence and independence.

- Imaginative play: Pretend play with dolls, toy animals, or role-playing games can help develop language, creativity, and social skills.

3. Read Together Regularly

- Daily reading routines: Reading aloud exposes children to new vocabulary, language patterns, and ideas. It also strengthens parent-child bonds. For younger children, engage them with pictures and ask questions; for older children, discuss themes and characters.

- Model a love for books: Show excitement about reading by visiting libraries, bookstores, and keeping books visible and accessible.

4. Encourage Problem-Solving and Independence

- Offer choices: Let children make simple decisions, such as choosing between two snacks or outfits. This encourages independent thinking and decision-making skills.

- Promote problem-solving: Ask open-ended questions like “What do you think will happen if…?” or “How can we fix this?” to foster critical thinking.

5. Talk and Listen Actively

- Engage in meaningful conversations: Speak with your child about their day, their interests, or what they’re learning. Use rich language to expand vocabulary and model good listening skills.

- Name feelings: Help your child recognize and express emotions by naming feelings and discussing ways to manage them.

6. Build Daily Routines

- Consistent routines: Predictable daily routines for meals, play, and sleep help children feel secure and understand what comes next. This structure can support cognitive organization and self-regulation.

- Incorporate learning into everyday activities: For example, counting steps as you walk, sorting laundry by colors, or discussing shapes and sizes while cooking.

7. Promote Social Interaction

- Arrange playdates or group activities: Social play with peers helps develop communication, cooperation, and conflict-resolution skills.

- Model positive behavior: Show kindness, patience, and respect in your own interactions, as children often mirror the behavior they see at home.

8. Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results

- Praise effort: Focus on praising the process (“I love how hard you worked on that puzzle!”) rather than just the outcome. This helps build resilience and a growth mindset, teaching children that effort and persistence are key to learning.

9. Support Physical Development

- Encourage outdoor play: Active play, such as running, climbing, or biking, promotes physical development, coordination, and even cognitive skills as children learn through movement.

- Introduce fine motor activities: Activities like drawing, cutting with scissors, or manipulating small objects can strengthen fine motor skills important for writing and other tasks.

10. Foster a Growth Mindset

- Encourage a “can-do” attitude: Teach your child that challenges are opportunities for learning. Praise their hard work and perseverance rather than just their talents or successes.

- Model handling mistakes positively: Show them that mistakes are part of the learning process and model problem-solving when things go wrong.

11. Work Closely with Teachers and Therapists

- Collaborate with educators: Stay informed about what your child is learning in school or therapy, and reinforce those skills at home.

- Implement recommendations: Follow through with any suggestions from specialists, such as using visual schedules, communication tools, or specific learning strategies.

12. Create a Calm, Nurturing Home Environment

- Minimize stress: A calm, predictable environment helps children feel safe and focused on learning. Help your child manage stress by maintaining consistency and offering emotional support.

- Foster a positive parent-child relationship: Spend quality time with your child, showing them love, attention, and understanding.

• No, The Developmental Journey is a direct pay clinic, and is out of network for all insurances. Families can use a credit card or their Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds to pay for visits.

• A superbill is provided, which is a detailed receipt that includes information like diagnosis codes (ICD-10) and procedure codes (CPT) necessary for insurance claims.

• After the visit, patients can submit the superbill to their insurance company, which may reimburse them directly depending on their plan and coverage.