Becoming A Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician

By Marlin Yacoub and Malak

There are many branches in the medical field that one can choose to go into, such as neurology, nephrology, pediatrics, surgery, etc. One specific topic that not many are familiar with, is Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics. Some children can show signs of developmental delay or behavioral difficulties. As a result, they may get referred to developmental-behavioral pediatrics. Physicians within this field are pediatricians that specialize in treating children with learning and behavioral issues (Kelly, 2020).

What are developmental-behavioral issues/difficulties?

Children with developmental delays and behavioral difficulties work with doctors, including their family doctor, to work on identifying any existing issues and formulating an appropriate care plan. Some developmental-behavioral difficulties, include:

1. Learning disorders: Pediatric patients find it hard to “understand or use spoken or written language, do mathematical calculations, coordinate movements, or direct attention” (Learning Disabilities Information Page, 2019). These learning disorders include dyslexia, writing difficulties, math disorders, and other school-related learning problems. Young children with learning disorders can face a lot of difficulties in school and often struggle to succeed at their grade levels.

2. Attention and behavioral disorders: These are “problems of not being able to focus, overactivity, and not have the ability to control behavior” (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), 2017). These attention and behavioral disorders include ADHD, oppositional-defiant behavior, conduct problems, depression, and anxiety disorder (What is a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician?, 2019). These disorders may cause the child to get into trouble frequently. It also makes it challenging to deal with him/her.

3. Habit disorders are a broad class of disorders. They can be characterized by repetitive and unwanted behaviors that can be distressing. This broad class of disorders include “tics [and] Tourette syndrome” (What is a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician?, 2019).

4. Developmental disabilities including “cerebral palsy, spina bifida, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, and visual and hearing impairments” (What is a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician?, 2019). These disabilities are usually severe and long-term, meaning individuals would need to be looked after for the majority of their lives.

5. Delayed development in “speech, language, motor skills, and thinking ability” (What is a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician?, 2019). These can relate to learning disabilities in that they would greatly impact the child’s academic performance. In addition, they would also impact one’s social skills.

6. Behavioral and developmental problems that complicate the “full range of pediatric chronic illness and disabling conditions” (What is a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician?, 2019).

Many of the disorders that these physicians work with can make one struggle in many important aspects of life. They can impact their social life, which can make it harder for them to make friends. Feeling as though he or she does not have friends can lead to other mental disorders. They can also impact their school life. This may make them feel like they are less than their peers and put forth less effort to learn and participate in school.

Who are developmental-behavioral pediatricians?

Children diagnosed with developmental-behavior issues may struggle in many aspects of their lives. Because of that, in many cases, families are recommended to visit a developmental-behavioral pediatrician. These specialists help diagnose complex issues, many of which share similar symptoms. They “work closely with parents, families, and schools” to advocate for their patient (What is a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician?, 2019). Developmental-behavioral pediatricians are trained and experienced in assessing and treating developmental-behavioral issues in pediatric patients. They have both “medical and psychosocial” training in the aspects of children and adolescents' developmental and behavioral problems (What is a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician?, 2019). This means they work with pediatric patients to tackle the medical, physiological, and psychosocial aspects of the issue.

What training do developmental-behavioral pediatricians have?

Developmental-Behavioral (DBP) Pediatricians are medical doctors, “certified in pediatrics with subspecialty training in developmental and behavioral pediatrics” (What is Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics?, 2016). They have to complete:

1. Four years of undergraduate studies

2. Four years of medical school

3. Three years of residency training in pediatrics

4. Board certification in pediatrics

5. Additional subspecialty training in developmental-behavioral pediatrics (What is a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician?, 2019).

This is a fairly new field. In 2002, “the American Board of Pediatrics began certifying developmental-behavioral pediatricians via a comprehensive examination process” (What is a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician?, 2019).

What do developmental-behavioral pediatricians do?

1. They are assessed and trained in understanding children’s “development and behavior...in context of the family” (What is Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics?, 2016), which means that they advocate for their patients and work closely with family and schools.

2. Their main goal is to “evaluate, counsel, and provide treatment for children, adolescents, and their families” with a wide range of developmental and behavioral difficulties (What is Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics?, 2016).

3. Some things that DBPs may evaluate for are:

1. Delayed development in speech, language, or motor skills

2. Nonverbal learning disabilities or other social skills issues

3. ADHD

4. Mental health issues like anxiety

5. Autism

6. Performance issues in school

7. Learning differences like dyslexia (Kelly, 2020).

1. Their main role is to evaluate kids “who aren’t developing, learning, or behaving the way their peers are” (Kelly, 2020).

2. DBPs evaluate and come up with a diagnosis or why a child may be acting or feeling a certain way that makes them different from other kids. Many disorders/issues in children share similar symptoms and therefore it is these specialists' role to come up with the correct diagnosis as well as the proper treatment plan.

3. Evaluation process:

1. A detailed history of child

2. Medical exam

3. Observing and talking to the child

4. Asking how the child acts in a variety of settings

5. Seeking feedback from teachers at the child’s school or daycare (Kelly, 2020).

1. May refer to a more direct specialist such as an occupational therapist, physical therapist, neuropsychologist, etc.

2. DBP may continue treating the pediatric patient and help with ongoing treatments. They can help by:

1. Prescribing and monitoring medication if the child has disorders such as ADHD or anxiety

2. Help better understand what’s behind the child’s behavior and come up with different strategies to deal and work with the child

3. Recommend accommodations and services at school and therapies outside of school (Kelly, 2020).

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Works Cited

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). (2017, August 22). Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/behavioral-disorders/adhd

Kelly, K. (2020, April 17). Developmental-Behavioral Pediatricians: What You Need to Know. Retrieved September 06, 2020, from https://www.understood.org/en/learning-thinking-differences/treatments-approaches/working-with-clinicians/developmental-behavioral-pediatricians-what-you-need-to-know

Learning Disabilities Information Page. (2019, March 27). Retrieved from Learning Disabilities Information Page.

What is a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician? (2020, January 28). Retrieved September 06, 2020, from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/health-management/pediatric-specialists/Pages/What-is-a-Developmental-Behavioral-Pediatrician.aspx

What is Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics? (2016, October 26). Retrieved September 06, 2020, from https://www.chla.org/what-developmental-behavioral-pediatrics