Residents interested in Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics should seek experiences that provide…
Contacts
Resident Rotation Directors: Cassandra Conrad, MD and Sara Williams, MD
Cincinnati Children’s Fellowship Director: Jayna Schumacher, MD
Essential Electives
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Beyond the required rotation, additional time in Developmental Pediatrics allows residents to deepen their expertise in complex diagnostic cases, refine skills in developmental assessments, and take on a more active role in longitudinal care planning for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Residents may also gain experience with specialized evaluations, such as in high-risk infant follow-up clinics or transition planning for adolescents with developmental disabilities.
- Half or Full-block
Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology
While the introductory full-block rotation provides a foundation in behavioral health assessments and interventions, additional time allows residents to work more closely with psychologists on advanced behavioral interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety, parent training programs for disruptive behavior disorders, and school-based behavioral assessments. Residents may also participate in multidisciplinary clinics focused on complex psychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions, gaining experience in treatment planning and family counseling.
- Half or Full-block
Recommended Electives
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
During this half or full-block elective, residents will gain additional experience in the diagnosis and management of pediatric psychiatric conditions, including ADHD, anxiety, mood disorders, and autism spectrum disorder.
Genetics
During this half or full-block elective, residents will learn to recognize genetic syndromes, interpret genetic testing, and counsel families on inherited conditions impacting neurodevelopment.
Neurology
During this half or full-block elective, residents will develop skills in diagnosing and managing neurologic conditions that impact child development, such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and neuromuscular disorders.
Other Electives
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
During this half or full-block elective, residents will focus on the care of children with physical disabilities and those requiring adaptive equipment, prosthetics, or mobility support.
Complex Care
During this half or full-block elective, residents will engage in the comprehensive management of children with medical complexity, learning about care coordination, medical homes, and interdisciplinary team approaches.
International Adoption
During this half or full-block elective, residents will explore medical, developmental, and psychosocial considerations in children adopted internationally, including pre-adoption counseling and post-adoption evaluations.
- Must be arranged individually
Nutrition
During this half or full-block elective, residents will gain knowledge in pediatric nutrition, including feeding difficulties, malnutrition, and specialized diets for neurodevelopmental conditions.
Initiative on Poverty, Justice, & health
During this half or full-block elective (offered annually in May), residents will explore the impact of socioeconomic disparities on child health and healthcare access, focusing on advocacy and policy solutions.
Health Works
During this half or full-block elective, residents will examine childhood obesity prevention and management, engaging in clinical care, community programs, and behavioral interventions.
Reading & Literacy Discovery center
During this half or full-block elective, residents will study the intersection of literacy and child development, including early language acquisition and dyslexia screening.
Recommended procedures
- Learn to administer the ASD-PEDS, an assessment tool for observing autism-related behaviors in toddlers and young children.
- Observe a multidisciplinary team conducting a developmental evaluation, including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), and play an active role by summarizing observations, providing a differential diagnosis, and writing a diagnostic assessment.
- Complete and interpret a developmental measure (ASD-PEDS, CARS-2, DP-4) under supervision.
- Document a complex developmental history, integrating medical, social, and educational factors.
Optional procedures
- Review and interpret genetic testing results (Neurodevelopmental panel, ASD/ID panel, exome, or genome) with an attending or genetic counselor.
- Review an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to understand how developmental disabilities impact school accommodations and services.
Other Experiences
- Observe speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy sessions to understand interventions for developmental and motor delays.
- Observe Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) to learn evidence-based behavioral interventions for young children with emotional and behavioral challenges.
Scholarly Activity
Most applicants pursuing DBP participate in a scholarly project. The project does not have to be housed in the Division specifically, but most residents applying to DBP have completed a project with a Division mentor. The quality the mentoring and methodology are the most important criteria programs consider.
Professional Organizations
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
- Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (SDBP)
- Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group (DS-MIG): A national group of health professionals from various disciplines who provide care to individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Trainees at all levels are welcome to join.
Journals & Online Resources
- Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics (JDBP)
- Pediatrics