New Diagnosis

Developmental-behavioral pediatricians (also known as developmental pediatricians) specialize in evaluating and treating infants, children, and young adults with developmental, behavioral, and learning disorders such as Down syndrome, ADHD, and autism.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but there are certain milestones in an infant’s first year to pay attention to when it comes to seeking out speech, physical, occupational, and behavioral therapy. Eighty percent of brain growth occurs during the first three years of life, so earlier is better.

To be eligible for Regional Center services after age three, a child must have a substantial disability that begins before age 18 and is expected to continue indefinitely. A diagnosis alone is insufficient for eligibility; the child’s disability must be “substantial.”