Developmental-behavioral pediatricians are medical doctors who have completed four years of medical school, three years of residency training in pediatrics, board certification in pediatrics, three years of subspecialty training, and board certification in developmental and behavioral pediatrics. Developmental and behavioral pediatricians evaluate, diagnosis, and treat a variety of developmental differences. Developmental-behavioral pediatricians strive to connect families with appropriate educational supports, community resources, and healthcare services. Developmental and behavioral pediatricians often work together with other professionals including speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, feeding therapists, educators, psychologists, neurologists, child psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and social workers.

Speech Language Pathologists, also called SLPs, are providers who specialize in communication. They provide evaluation and intervention in the areas of speech, language, pragmatics, cognition, voice, fluency and swallowing. SLPs work across the lifespan in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and private clinics. They work collaboratively with providers, such as occupational therapists, physical therapists, educators and physicians.

There is currently a 1-2 month wait for evaluations.

Dr. Francis and Candice have studied and used the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS™2) and the TELE-ASD-PEDS (TAP) assessment tool in their telehealth practices. Research shows the TAP is effective in identifying autism symptoms in toddlers. The Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics released a position statement endorsing telehealth diagnostic practices. They concluded that the field of developmental and behavioral pediatrics is well-positioned as a specialty to deliver care through telehealth and little modification is needed when compared with many in-person visits (Keder, R et al. Society for Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics Position Statement on Telehealth. J Dev Behav Pediatr 43:55–59, 2022). Additionally, diagnostic assessment tools are only one part of an autism evaluation. A thorough developmental history, standardized questionnaires, and neurobehavioral observations will also be completed with your child to help come to a diagnostic conclusion. 

For a child with developmental delays, a specific diagnosis helps families to better understand their child and guides them to appropriate therapies and services. Early identification helps improve developmental outcomes.

Yes. We request an order from your pediatrician that indicates “speech and language evaluation” and “developmental and behavioral pediatric evaluation.”

Bright Track Kids and its clinicians are considered “out of network” for all health insurance plans. This allows us to make optimal treatment recommendations regarding duration and type of evaluations and therapy without the limitations imposed by third party payers. In addition, it allows us to deliver the quality of care we believe you and your child deserve. We accept credit card payments including flexible spending accounts. A billing summary can be provided after your visit which you may submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. Payment plans are available upon request.