What is a
Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician?
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
- Six years of medical school
- Five years of residency
training in pediatrics
- Additional three years subspecialty
training in developmental-behavioral pediatrics
Developmental-behavioral pediatricians evaluate, counsel,
and provide treatment for children, adolescents, and their families with a wide
range of developmental and behavioral difficulties, including
- 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, mental retardation, autism
spectrum disorders, 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 (for example, genetic disorders, epilepsy,
prematurity, diabetes, asthma, cancer)
Where can I find a
developmental-behavioral pediatrician?
Developmental-behavioral pediatricians
practice in some hospitals in three cities of Turkey (Ankara, İzmir and
Malatya)
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.