SERVICES OFFERED AT

The Center for Child Development

Therapy / Intervention Services

At the Center for Child Development, we believe that it is a clinician’s responsibility to provide ethical care that is informed by current research. Our clinicians are trained in administering evidence-based treatments (EBT) for a variety of internalizing and externalizing child and young adults problems. Our theoretical orientation is primarily cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), although our providers have had comprehensive training and enrich their treatment by incorporating various techniques when indicated, including motivational interviewing, family systems therapy, solution focused therapy, and collaborative problem solving. We collaborate with families to develop individualized treatment plans that may include, to varying degrees, parental involvement, particularly as children and adolescents exist within a family system. In addition to parental involvement, we understand that collaboration with other providers and systems is integral to providing holistic and comprehensive care. These may include pediatricians, psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, and previous therapists. Other systems may include the school or other clinics where the child/adolescent has or is currently receiving therapeutic services. When appropriate, open channels of communication and collaboration are maintained with outside systems to ensure that our clinicians are providing timely and informed care. Given the wide range of patient needs, treatment duration varies, although it is our goal to ensure that every person involved is aware of the treatment plan and therapy goals. Our goal is to reduce or resolve behavioral, emotional, or psychological difficulties in children and adolescents and to improve the overall quality of life for families.

Psychological Evaluation

Clinicians at the Center for Child Development perform a wide variety of assessments, including neuropsychological, psychological, developmental, and psychoeducational assessments. Assessments are typically performed to determine if children meet criteria for diagnoses of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Learning Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, to name a few, as well as mood and behavioral issues, such as anxiety and depression. Many of our clinicians also perform kindergarten readiness evaluations and consult with school staff to support your child’s learning needs.

For more information about Pediatric Psychology, please follow the link below to the Division 54 website of the American Psychological Association (APA):

http://www.apa.org/about/division/div54.aspx 

Neuropsychological Assessment

A neuropsychological evaluation is a comprehensive assessment of your child’s functioning across these areas: 

• General Intelligence / Cognitive Ability
• Language
• Visual-spatial skills
• Learning and Memory
• Attention & Executive skills (e.g., working memory; planning and organization; problem solving)
• Motor skills
• Academic achievement (e.g., reading, spelling, mathematics, writing)
• Adaptive skills (i.e., daily living skills)
• Social skills
• Emotional and behavioral functioning

The results from the neuropsychological evaluation can help determine if your child has problems with learning or behavior that may be interfering with their performance at school, their emotional functioning, and/or their ability to socialize with their peers. The findings can also be used by your child’s school team to qualify them for academic accommodations in the classroom (e.g., a 504 Plan) or for more formal, individualized support (i.e., an Individualized Education Plan or IEP) and to help guide clinical treatments and interventions.

For more information about Pediatric Neuropsychology and neuropsychological assessment, please follow the link below to the educational pamphlet created by Division 40 (Clinical Neuropsychology) of the American Psychological Association (APA):

https://www.scn40.org/uploads/4/7/2/2/47220679/pedneuropscyhbroch3-eng.pdf 

School Support

The Center for Child Development welcomes inquiries from schools, teachers, and parents regarding students who may need additional services. These extra services may be gained for the student through assessments and evaluations performed by our clinicians. We support students with academic challenges or struggles, and also with social, emotional, or behavioral difficulties.

If a student has been evaluated, and it has been determined that services are needed, we will collaborate with the school, teacher, and parent. A suggestion may be made to have an IEP (Individualized Educational Program), or 504 Plan established in order to accommodate each student’s learning need.

Our clinicians are happy to provide information and resources to parents to help their child succeed in school, and improve their overall quality of life.

Medication Management

The Center for Child Development takes a holistic approach to treatment and considers biological, psychological, and social underpinnings that may contribute to mental health challenges. In order to maximize your child’s well-being and fully address challenges, medication intervention may be recommended. For some individuals, psychopharmacological treatments play a crucial role in reducing debilitating symptoms associated with mood and anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, and neurological disorders such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Medication intervention is typically best done in conjunction with other treatments and is emphasized in the development of a comprehensive, multi-modal treatment plan with our Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. If it is determined that pharmacological intervention is appropriate for your child, treatment decisions will be accompanied by extensive education and support. Routine follow-up (typically monthly) will also occur, as it is an essential component of treatment.

Academic Services

The Center for Child Development offers a variety of academic services all based on structured, multi-sensory methods derived from research-driven teaching methods. In addition to the core subjects (reading, writing, spelling, and math), CCD also offers executive function skill building for those whose greatest challenges lie in organization, prioritizing and planning tasks. Our one-on-one lessons are tailored to each student’s predicted needs for that day while adjusting to unexpected needs and abilities as they are presented. Students are typically seen twice a week. With availability, we tailor programs to meet the needs of our busy families by providing in-office, online, and on-site school lessons.

Through extensive training and deep compassion, all Academic Intervention Specialists (tutors) at the Center for Child Development uphold the center’s core mission to serve each child with differentiated, research-driven practices to bring them to their full potential. Each specialist has experience with diverse populations: autism spectrum, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, highly capable, ADD/ADHD, as well as those who are considered twice exceptional. Our carefully selected specialists develop supportive, nurturing relationships, while working towards their goals.