Developmental and behavioral pediatrics is a specialized area that looks at how a child’s growth, behavior and emotions affect their overall health.
These experts focus on identifying and managing issues that can influence a child’s development and well-being. They assess how a child’s milestones, behaviors and emotional responses work together to offer personalized support that helps children thrive.
To become a Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician (DBP), physicians complete a three year Pediatric residency followed by a three year sub-specialty fellowship. There is high demand for DBP physicians at this time.
What Do Developmental and Behavioral Pediatricians Do?
Developmental and behavioral pediatricians are specialists trained to diagnose and manage conditions that impact a child’s development and well-being.
These specialists are experts in understanding how children’s physical, emotional and cognitive development can influence their behavior, functioning, and ability to socialize and communicate.
They can help treat babies, children, and teens with conditions including:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A neurodevelopmental disorder affecting communication, behavior and social interaction.
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A condition characterized by persistent patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity.
- Learning Disabilities: Difficulties with reading, writing or math that are not due to intellectual disabilities.
- Developmental Delays: Delays in reaching physical, cognitive or social milestones.
- Behavioral Disorders: Conditions such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or conduct disorder (CD).
- Sensory Processing Differences: Difficulties in processing and responding to sensory input, leading to unusual responses to sensory stimuli.
Examples of Conditions That Developmental and Behavioral Pediatricians Treat:
Here are some key areas that these specialists often focus on:
- Fussiness and difficulty in infants: If a baby is extraordinarily fussy, difficult to comfort, or seems to have trouble with feeding or sleeping, a developmental pediatrician can help determine if these issues are related to underlying conditions such as feeding problems, reflux or other developmental issues.
- Toileting training challenges: Preschoolers who continue to have “accidents” well beyond the typical toilet training age might be experiencing issues such as constipation, urinary tract infections or behavioral challenges. Specialists can evaluate these issues to determine if there is a need for medical intervention or behavioral strategies.
- Attention and focus issues: Children who have difficulty focusing, following instructions or completing tasks in the classroom may be experiencing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, or other cognitive or behavioral disorders. Developmental pediatricians can provide evaluations, diagnoses and tailored interventions to support better academic performance, behavioral management and medication when appropriate.
- Delayed developmental milestones: If an infant or toddler is significantly behind in reaching developmental milestones like crawling, walking or talking, it may indicate conditions such as developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other developmental disorders. Specialists can assess these delays and recommend appropriate therapies and interventions.
Treatments and Interventions Offered
When a parent seeks help from a developmental and behavioral pediatrician for their child, a range of treatments and interventions can be tailored to the specific needs of the child. These interventions can include:
- Behavioral therapy: Techniques such as applied behavior analysis (ABA) for autism or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help manage behavior and emotional regulation.
- Developmental interventions: Therapies such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, or physical therapy to address developmental delays.
- Medication management: Prescribing and monitoring medications for conditions such as ADHD or mood disorders, if appropriate.
- Family counseling: Supporting families in understanding and managing their child’s needs, including strategies for behavior management and effective parenting techniques.
- Coordination with schools: Working with educators and school counselors to develop and implement strategies that support the child’s academic and social success.
- Educational support: Recommendations for individualized education plans (IEPs) or 504 plans to support learning in school.
When to Seek Help From a Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician
Parents and caregivers might seek the help of a developmental and behavioral pediatrician if their child’s developmental or behavioral issues persist despite interventions or if their primary care pediatrician recommends doing so.
Developmental and behavioral pediatricians can help by evaluating, diagnosing, and managing various conditions in children, including developmental delays, behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, and emotional challenges.
Parents should look for signs and behaviors in their children that can indicate the need for a developmental and behavioral pediatric evaluation. These signs include:
- Persistent fussiness, difficulty calming, or extreme irritability in infants.
- Ongoing issues with toilet training, including frequent accidents and reluctance to use the toilet.
- Trouble maintaining focus, following directions, or completing tasks at school or home.
- Significant delays in reaching motor skills, language skills, or social milestones compared to peers.
- Aggression, withdrawal, or extreme reactions to minor changes or stressors.
At Stony Brook Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, we are committed to supporting your child’s developmental and behavioral needs with personalized, expert care.
Our team of specialists works closely with families, schools, and other professionals to develop individualized treatment plans and are actively involved in research and education, contributing to the broader understanding of pediatric development and behavior. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us at (631) 444-4673 / (631) 444-4794.
