Developmental Pediatric Medicine Physician Referral

Physician Referral

Driscoll's Developmental Pediatric Medicine pediatricians most commonly address behavioral and medication management issues related to:

  • Developmental delay with or without behavioral symptoms
  • ADHD plus mild co-morbidities such as anxiety and dysthymia
  • Autism diagnostic clarification and medication management of target behaviors
  • Genetic syndromes with behavioral symptoms
  • Neurodevelopmental concerns

However, while it has been customary to take all developmental and behavioral patients, realistically our practice is NOT equipped to handle more significant co-morbidities such as:

  • Conduct disorder
  • Severe mood disorders such as bipolar or major depressive disorder (suicidal ideation)
  • Concerns for psychotic processes
  • Past psychiatric hospitalization(s)

Children with those co-morbidities will be directed to psychology and/or psychiatry for further assessment and treatment.

There are also certain cases that may be initially addressed with therapy alone, including:

  • Adjustment disorders
  • Separation anxiety
  • Family psychosocial problems, etc.

The following types of concerns may be initially addressed by a therapist, licensed clinical social worker and/or psychologist:

  • Family problems
  • Adjustment to life circumstances
  • Parental discipline
  • Attachment problems (i.e. reactive attachment disorder)
  • Mild anxiousness or phobic fears
  • Mild depressive symptoms, low self-esteem

If psychoeducational testing has already been completed, our developmental and behavioral pediatricians will interpret the data and assist with the formulation of a treatment plan. However, the following types of initial presenting concerns are best addressed with a psychologist:

  • Actual assessment of IQ and adaptive measures to determine the degree of cognitive impairment (rule out intellectual disability)
  • Actual psychoeducational testing to rule out a learning disability
  • ADHD inattentive subtype in the context of discrepant parent-teacher reporting, co-occurring learning disability or co-occurring mood disorder where additional assessments are indicated
  • Complex learning issues where extensive psychometric testing is needed to better discern the learning profile and provide specific educational recommendations (i.e. post cognitive rehabilitation therapy, post traumatic brain injury)

Developmental Pediatric Medicine Referral Form