If your child has a developmental, learning, or behavioral problem, a
developmental-behavioral pediatrician has the training and expertise to evaluate and care for your child. Developmental-behavioral pediatricians possess training and experience to consider, in their assessments and treatments, the medical and psychosocial aspects of children's and adolescents' developmental and behavioral problems.
What training do developmental-behavioral pediatricians have?
Developmental-behavioral pediatricians are medical doctors who have completed:
Four years of medical school
Three years of residency training in pediatrics
Board certification in pediatrics
Additional subspecialty training in developmental-behavioral pediatrics
In 2002, the American Board of Pediatrics began certifying developmental-behavioral pediatricians through a comprehensive examination process.
What do developmental-behavioral pediatricians do?
Developmental-behavioral pediatricians evaluate, counsel and provide treatment for children, adolescents and their families with a wide range of developmental and behavioral difficulties, including:
Learning disorders including dyslexia, writing difficulties, math disorders and other school-related learning problems
Attention and behavioral disorders including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and associated conditions including oppositional-defiant behavior, conduct problems, depression and anxiety disorders
Tics, Tourette syndrome, and other habit disorders
Regulatory disorders including sleep disorders, feeding problems, discipline difficulties, complicated toilet-training issues, enuresis (bedwetting), and encopresis (soiling)
Developmental disabilities including cerebral palsy, spina bifida, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder and visual and hearing impairments
Delayed development in speech, language, motor skills and thinking ability
Behavioral and developmental problems complicating the full range of pediatric chronic illnesses and disabling conditions (such as genetic disorders, epilepsy, prematurity, diabetes, asthma and cancer)
Developmental-behavioral pediatricians work closely with parents, families, and schools.
Developmental-behavioral pediatricians understand that children's development and behavior happen first and foremost in the context of the family. They seek to understand the family's view of the problem and the effect of the child's problem on the family. Developmental-behavioral pediatricians advocate for their patients with developmental and behavioral problems by working closely with schools, preschools, and other agencies involved with developmental care and education.
Where can I find a developmental-behavioral pediatrician?
Developmental-behavioral pediatricians practice in hospitals, major medical centers, clinics, private practice settings, rehabilitation centers, schools and community centers.
Often a developmental-behavioral pediatrician works collaboratively with a team of professionals. This team may include a psychologist, speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, neurodevelopmental disabilities pediatrician, child psychiatrist, child neurologist, nurse practitioner, physician's assistant, educational diagnostician or clinical social worker.
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