Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Developmental consultations

When you or your child’s pediatrician has a concern about your child’s development, behavior, or social communication skills, we can provide comprehensive assessments and customized recommendations for care and support. New patients may be referred to our Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic by primary care physicians or other clinicians through the Stanford Medicine Children’s Health referral center. Depending on age and needs, your child may be evaluated in our Infant Development Specialty Program, Young Childhood Program, or Middle Childhood Program.

One frequent concern these days is that children may have autism spectrum disorders. We use many sources of information to determine if children meet the diagnostic criteria for autism, including parents’ descriptions, review of medical records, early intervention or school evaluations, and previous psychological assessments. We also gather first-hand information during the clinic visits by talking with family members and interacting with the child. Regardless of whether we conclude your child does or does not have autism, we will discuss our impressions of the type of intervention that might help your child progress. We assist families in finding the medical care and community-based resources and services that address your child’s needs and capitalizes on his or her strengths.

Infant Development Specialty Services

Our developmental and behavioral pediatrics team sees infants and toddlers from birth through 3 years old who have a high likelihood of developmental delays or behavioral problems due to prematurity, congenital heart disease, or other medical conditions that resulted in hospitalization in a neonatal intensive care unit. The High-Risk Infant Follow-up Program meets the standards of California Children’s Services (CCS) and the clinicians are all approved by CCS. Children are evaluated in an outpatient setting at least 3 times in the first 3 years to monitor their development and behavior. At each visit, your child will receive an individualized developmental assessment. As a parent, you will receive guidance and information to support your child’s progress. We coordinate referrals to other medical specialties, community agencies, and early intervention programs, as needed.

We also evaluate children under age 2 years who are showing delays in development or differences in their behavior or emotional expression in this program.