| Paul H. Lipkin, M.D. | Read Dr. Hilary Gwynn’s article
on Learning Disabilities: The Pediatrician’s Role in Pediatric News, September 2006. |
The Center for Development and Learning is an outpatient program for evaluation and treatment of children from preschool through adolescence for problems in autism spectrum, language development, learning and intellect, behavior or school adjustment. The center’s team of physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers and educators investigate the problems in association with affiliated departments, offering families appropriate diagnosis and treatments for the child’s problems. The staff also provides medical management, counseling and educational evaluation services for children and their families.
The Preschool Program offers diagnostic and treatment services for preschool children with delayed language development, autism spectrum, language development, autism spectrum disorder, developmental delays, intellectual disorders, problems, and behavioral problems through the coordinated efforts of the staff members. Evaluations may include medical and neurologic examination, developmental testing, behavioral assessment, and psychosocial assessment. Diagnostic information and therapeutic recommendations, for sharing with their primary care provider or preschool are provided to families. Treatment is offered in medication management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and related disorders as well as in counseling.
Further medical testing is available, in coordination with other programs at the Institute and Johns Hopkins Hospital, when needed.
The School-Age Program offers services for school-aged and college-aged children who are experiences problems in school or home with learning, attention, or behavior. Evaluations are available for medical diagnosis and treatment, psychosocial assessment, and specialized educational assessment in order to identify the child’s area of difficulty and to identify appropriate treatments for its management at home or school. Treatment services are offered in medication management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and related disorders. In addition, counseling services are available for addressing psychosocial concerns or for receiving assistance in identifying services for the child. The educational staff also assists families in obtaining school services for their child when needed (see below).
The Medication Management Clinic offers services for school-aged children who are experiencing problems in school or at home with attention or behavior. Evaluations are available for medical diagnosis and for treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and related behavioral problems. Counseling services are also available for addressing psychosocial concerns or for receiving assistance in identifying services for the child.
Educational Evaluation Services:
The Center for Development and Learning also offers educational evaluation and consultation services, conducted by educators with expertise in learning disabilities, for individuals from preschool to adult ages. Referral is appropriate for:
- School achievement problems, even if special education services are currently provided
- Concerns regarding the appropriateness of educational programs or placements
- Questions about effective instructional methods and strategies
College students and adults in educational programs are served through the College Clinic, a partnership between the Center for Development and Learning and the Department of Neuropsychology. Evaluations are designed to obtain appropriate instructional and accommodative services, if warranted, for students with documented disabilities. See - Educational Evaluation: Available Services
Primary Goals of Program:
- Diagnostic assessments
- Therapeutic recommendations for school & home
- Ongoing treatment of medical and social needs, including medication and counseling
Interesting Trends Over the Last Three Years:
Parents have become increasingly aware of developmental disorders presenting in preschoolers and are seeking special assistance in identifying the problem and appropriate treatments. Similarly, parents are seeking more medical treatment for their child with ADHD. In contrast, there is decreased school support in some areas and limited access to mental health and psycho-educational services through third-party payors.
Success Stories:
(Preschool Evaluation)
At the advice of a preschool, parents of a 3-year-old boy brought him into the clinic for further evaluation because of poor speech development and recently developed behavior difficulties. An evaluation at the center determined that the boy had an autistic disorder. The center’s staff then planned further medical evaluation and referred the family to appropriate community services. They also discussed at length with the parents short- and long-term issues.
A 7-year-old boy was brought in to the clinic due to behavior problems occurring in school. A team evaluation identified him as having an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and an associated learning disability. Through a medication trial, the boy’s behavior at school and at home dramatically improved, as did his concentration at school. In addition, the center referred the boy for special services at school, where professionals were able to address his disability directly.
(School-Age Evaluation)
A 10-year-old boy was brought to the center by his parents due to concerns about his academic performance. He was struggling with reading and writing, despite provision of special education services. Comprehensive educational evaluation provided the parents and school with information about his learning strengths and needs, and an appropriate instructional program was put into place at his school. The evaluation also helped his teachers better understand how to handle his problems with anxiety, inattention, and impulsivity in the classroom. When seen for re-evaluation a year later, the child had made steady academic growth and was receiving support for his behavioral needs.
(College Clinic Evaluation)
A college student with a history of strong academic performance in high school began to experience difficulty during her freshman year and was referred for evaluation by her advisor. Interdisciplinary evaluation revealed the presence of a previously undiagnosed attentional disorder that impeded her academic performance on class assignments and exams. Documentation of her needs resulted in provision of appropriate accommodations at school that facilitated her academic success. Subsequent referral for medical evaluation and implementation of a medication trial further improved her performance.
Contact our Care Management Office
Toll-Free Referral: (888) 554-2080
Local Referral: (443) 923-9400
·Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD)
·Behavioral Disorders/Self-injurious Behavior
·Communication/Speech/Language Disorders
·Developmental Disability
·Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Related Disorders
·Intellectual Disability
·Learning Disorders (LD)
Adjustment Disorder
Asperger's Disorder
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Cognitive Delay
Developmental Language Disorder
Dyslexia
Genetic and Metabolic disorders
Hyperkinetic syndrome
Impulse control disorder
·Behavioral Psychology Outpatient Programs
·Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD)
·Fragile X Clinic
·Neuropsychology and Developmental Psychology Clinic
·Occupational Therapy Clinic
·Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic
·Social Work Outpatient Mental Health Program
·Speech and Language Outpatient Clinic
(Grades Pre-K through 8)
·Kennedy Krieger School: Greenspring Campus - High School Career and Technology Center Program
·LEAP Program (Lifeskills and Education for Students with Autism and other Pervasive Behavioral Challenges)
·Behavior and Feeding Disorders Research
·Center for Genetic Disorders of Cognition and Behavior
·Learning and Other Cognitive Disorders Research
Children and Adults with ADHD
(http://www.chadd.org)
ADD Warehouse: Leading Resource for the understanding and treatment of all developmental disorders
(http://www.addwarehouse.com)
Knowledge Path- Children with Special Health Care Needs
(http://www.ncemch.org)
The Association for Retarded Citizens
(http://www.thearc.org)
Baltimore Association for Retarded Citizens
(http://www.baltimorearc.org)
Baltimore's Child- Baltimore's best news for families
(http://www.baltimoreschild.com)
Council for Exceptional Children
(http://www.cec.sped.org)
The Autism Society of America
(http://www.autism-society.org)
Learning Disability Association of America
(http://www.Idanatl.org)
National Center for Learning Disabilities
(http://www.ncld.org)
Family Village-A global community of disability-related resources
(http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu)
National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
(http://www.nichcy.org)
Children with Disabilities
(http://www.childrenwithdisabilities.ncjrs.org)
Exceptional Parent Magazine
(http://www.eparent.com)
National Parent Network on Disabilities
( http://www.npnd.org)
Parent's Place of Maryland: A center for families of children with disabilities
(http://www.ppmd.org)
Mental Health Association of Maryland
( http://www.mhamd.org)
TEACCH, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
(http://www.teacch.com)
Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
(http://www.iidc.indiana.edu)
Continuums l Clinical Laboratories l Clinical Disciplines/Depts.