Developmental Pediatrics

The Developmental Pediatrics Program provides comprehensive interdisciplinary care for children and youth with developmental delays and intellectual disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability and neurogenetic conditions. We also have some programs that provide services to adults with developmental delays and intellectual disabilities. We embrace a neurodiverse perspective and provide assessments, follow-up and interventions for a range of complex issues.

What is developmental pediatrics?

Developmental pediatrics is a subspecialty in pediatrics dedicated to the physical, social, emotional and cognitive growth of children from birth through late adolescence. The Developmental Pediatrics Program holds clinics across the Children's Hospital Colorado system. The developmental pediatricians, psychologists, advanced practice providers, social workers, nurses and therapists within developmental pediatrics provide specialized assessments and care to help families understand developmental differences. Integral to our care is the provision of support and assistance to find resources for therapies and other interventions.

Why choose Children’s Colorado for neurodevelopmental disabilities including autism spectrum disorder?

The developmental pediatrics team has specialized expertise in helping youth with a broad range of developmental and behavioral issues. Our compassionate and forward-thinking experts provide evidence-based and up-to-date diagnostic evaluations and treatment tailored to the needs of children and their families.

How will my child be evaluated?

We evaluate children from infancy through adolescence in either a team setting or individual consultation appointments. Each team clinic has a developmental pediatrician or an advanced practice provider working with a psychologist. Some clinics incorporate speech therapy, occupational therapy or physical therapy.

What type of testing is used?

We offer standardized best practice testing to assess developmental, cognitive and intellectual difficulties. We also evaluate social communication and autism spectrum disorders, as well as other behavioral and adaptive skill concerns.

In addition to developmental assessments, we provide specialty clinics for sleep and toileting problems associated with developmental problems. We also provide behavioral treatments and medication management for some developmental and behavioral conditions. Specialized clinics within the Developmental Pediatrics Program include our Deaf and Hard of Hearing Clinic designed for the needs of children with hearing concerns and developmental disabilities, eXtraordinarY Kids Clinic specializing in sex chromosome conditions and Fragile X Clinic.

Child and development conditions we evaluate and treat:

• Autism spectrum disorders
• Developmental delays
• Intellectual disability 
• Communication problems 
• Feeding problems
• Fragile X syndrome
• X&Y chromosome differences