Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics

The Division of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP) is part of the Mayo Clinic Children's Center. Our multispecialty team evaluates, diagnoses and treats children who have complex conditions related to development and behavior. Team members work together to give your child comprehensive, quality, evidence-based care, focusing on the needs of your child and family.

Our multispecialty program evaluates children and teenagers with learning and social development concerns for conditions such as:

• Autism spectrum disorder.
• General developmental delay or intellectual disability.
• Delayed speech and language development.
• Behavioral issues associated with any of the above conditions.

Your visit

The DBP team completes an evaluation either in one day or over several days, depending on your child's developmental and behavioral concerns. You and your child will meet with one of the developmental behavioral pediatricians and likely with other members of the team. Team members often include a neuropsychologist, speech-language pathologist, audiologist, behavior analyst, social worker or nurse.

Your child will likely be given a variety of developmental tests. And you'll likely be asked to complete various forms assessing your child's development and behavior.

After testing and evaluation, the team members meet and prepare a recommended treatment plan specific to your child's needs. A developmental behavioral pediatrician meets with you and your child to discuss the treatment plan. The plan could include therapy, recommendations for medication, recommendations for education, and referrals to other pediatric specialists. It also may include follow-up with appropriate healthcare professionals, including your child's primary care team.

Our team

Staff members of our DBP team will:

• Foster your child's ability to reach their unique potential.
• Always work toward and support the best outcome for your child and family.
• Focus on the needs and strengths of your child and family.

The team members listed may be involved in your child's evaluation and treatment, based on your child's needs.

• Patient appointment services specialist
  • Schedules patient and family appointments.
• Developmental behavioral pediatrician
  • Assesses developmental, academic, and behavioral concerns for your child by getting a detailed history, using developmental testing and by directly observing your child.
  • Gives family members and educators recommendations for intervention and treatment that targets your child's development and strengths.
  • Discusses medication options if needed for your child.
  • Evaluates overall health and supports a child- and family-centered approach to goals.
  • Makes referrals to other specialists as needed.
  • Advocates for the ideal treatment plan for your child and helps coordinate care, based on the team's recommendations.
  • Helps with transfer of care to your child's primary healthcare professional and local healthcare team.
• Neuropsychologist
  • Meets with the family and oversees a variety of tests specific to your child's needs.
  • Tests may include assessment of:
    • Social and communication skills.
    • Cognitive and adaptive functioning.
    • Learning and memory.
    • Academic skills.
    • Attention and executive function, which includes the ability to make decisions, plan and problem-solve.
    • Behavioral and emotional health.
  • Interprets test results and provides a comprehensive treatment plan to be shared with medical professionals, educators and therapists involved in your child's care.
• Nurse
  • Collects and reviews medical history.
  • Gives standardized developmental tests.
  • Educates your child and family about new diagnoses and resources.
  • Assists your child and family in understanding, coordinating and working through the treatment plan.
• Social worker
  • Helps evaluate your child for potential mental health concerns, as well as possible autism spectrum disorder.
  • Assesses cognitive and adaptive functioning of your child by giving standardized tests.
  • Gives education on diagnoses. Helps your child and family in coping with any new diagnoses through counseling and support.
  • Helps your child and family in understanding, coordinating, and working through the treatment plan.
• Speech-language pathologist
  • Assesses communication skills, including verbal and nonverbal language skills.
  • Identifies delays or problems in speech and language.
  • Makes recommendations for ongoing speech-language therapy for your child.
• Audiologist
  • Evaluates your child for hearing problems.
  • Recommends treatment or more evaluation if needed.
• Behavior analyst
  • Evaluates your child's behavior to understand factors that influence how skills are learned as well as adaptive behavior.
  • Designs and carries out individualized plans for improving skills and reducing interfering behaviors.

Help prepare your child for a Mayo Clinic visit

Share an age-appropriate story with your child so that your child knows what to expect during a visit to Mayo Clinic Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. See pictures of our team members who will be happy to help you:

• Welcome to Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics — A Social Story for Children Under 5 Years.
• Welcome to Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics — A Social Story for Children 5 Years and Older

Appointments

Make an appointment at Mayo Clinic Children's Center and learn about patient services.