Who We Are
The Evaluations for Development, Growth and Education (EDGE) Clinic is an interdisciplinary clinic where families can get expert help in understanding their child’s development, learning and behavior. We work with children and teens 4 to 17 years old.
Our team includes professionals from different specialties who work together to provide thorough evaluations, which typically include:
- Medical and developmental evaluation
- Focused assessment of thinking, learning and emotional skills
Our clinicians help families answer questions such as:
- Does my child have ADHD?
- My child already has an ADHD diagnosis, but learning is still a struggle—what should we do next?
- My child is having trouble managing emotions or behavior—could there be an underlying reason, and how can we support them?
The goal of the clinic is to give families clear answers and helpful guidance so children can thrive at home, in school and in their communities
Who We Serve
Children and teens are referred to the EDGE Clinic through Kennedy Krieger’s Center for Development and Learning (CDL) and Center for Neuropsychological and Psychological Assessment (CNaP). Referrals also come from parents and caregivers, pediatricians, schools, and other healthcare professionals. During the initial review process, we determine if the EDGE Clinic is the right fit for your child.
Common reasons for referral include:
- Difficulty paying attention or staying focused
- High energy levels or trouble sitting still
- Challenges with behavior or emotions
- Learning or language difficulties
- Anxiety or worries
- Trouble making or keeping friends
Our Team
The EDGE Clinic brings together a team of experts from a variety of disciplines to support and treat your child. The team includes clinicians from the CDL and CNaP, including the following specialists:
- Developmental-behavioral pediatricians or pediatric neurologists with specialty training in neurodevelopmental disabilities
- Psychologists
- Psychology associates
- Postdoctoral fellows
What to Expect During the Visit
Visits typically last about two hours and take place in connected clinic rooms. While your child takes part in targeted psychological testing, you will spend about an hour in an interview with our clinicians. After that, we will complete a focused medical exam of your child, observe the testing session and then review all of the information we have gathered. Before you leave, we will provide you with same-day feedback, including our initial findings and helpful recommendations to support your child’s needs.
What to Expect After the Visit
After your visit, you’ll receive a summary letter that outlines the key findings and recommendations from the team. A few weeks later, you’ll also receive detailed reports from each of the clinicians who evaluated your child. Families may continue to receive care from the team’s pediatric neurologist or developmental-behavioral pediatrician. The timing of follow-up visits depends on your child’s individual needs and treatment plan. In some cases, families may return for a psychological re-evaluation after a few years.
Benefits of Receiving Care Through the EDGE Clinic
- Coordinated evaluations in one single appointment: Care is streamlined across departments that work closely together.
- Faster access to services: When appropriate, services, resources and treatments can begin more quickly.
- High-quality, comprehensive care: Your child receives thoughtful, thorough evaluations and treatment recommendations—all in one place.