Pediatric Developmental Evaluation Clinic
Each year, thousands of children are diagnosed with developmental delays. Early intervention is essential to help these children realize their full potential. If you suspect a developmental delay in your own child or in a child you are treating, MeritCare's Pediatric Developmental Evaluation Clinic can help.
This monthly program, sponsored by MeritCare Children's Hospital, strives to:
- provide a medical diagnosis of the condition whenever possible
- maximize the child's potential based on that diagnosis
- identify therapy and treatment needs
- identify appropriate community resources for the child and their family
The clinic is intended for children who suffer from suspected autism, fetal alcohol syndrome or pediatric developmental delay with no identifiable cause. Referrals can come from physicians, schools, therapists or the child's family.
Coordinated Care
The Pediatric Developmental Evaluation Clinic is a coordinated effort of MeritCare Hospital and MeritCare Children's Hospital. Over the course of a single day, specialists with a variety of backgrounds will see and evaluate the child. The whole process lasts approximately six hours and takes place in one location, MeritCare's Coordinated Treatment Center in Fargo. As a result, there's no need to make multiple appointments, drive from one location to another or travel all the way to Minneapolis to have a child evaluated. We're pleased to be able to offer this kind of coordinated, comprehensive service locally in Fargo to the people of our region.
Comprehensive Assessments
The program is primarily one of assessment and referral. Our treatment team abides by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry's diagnostic guidelines when evaluating each child. Tests are intended to pinpoint problem areas and rule out other potential causes for the developmental delay.
Evaluations typically include:
- Comprehensive history, including medical, social, developmental, behavioral and educational issues and problems
- Complete physical exam, including appropriate laboratory screening
- Developmental, speech and language, social and educational assessments
- Nutritional assessment and recommendations
- Family and social assessment and assistance
Individualized Results
After completing their evaluation, the specialists will meet to discuss their findings and develop an individualized treatment plan for the child. They will then set goals that meet the specific needs of everyone involved.
The program is meant to supplement, but not replace, any part of the vital care provided by the family's personal physician. Working closely with family members, caregivers and others involved in the child's care, the team will determine the best ways to help the child maximize their strengths and enhance areas which might need improvement. Educational, therapy and community agency personnel are welcome to attend this meeting, and a comprehensive report will be sent to the child's primary physician for follow-up care.
A Multidisciplinary Team
Evaluating and diagnosing developmental delays requires specialists from many different fields of expertise. Each child who takes part in our program will see a:
- Pediatrician
- Neuropsychologist
- Pediatric occupational therapist
- Pediatric speech/language pathologist
- Pediatric physical therapist
- Pediatric nutritionist
- Social worker
Depending on the child's individual situation, they might also see other professionals, including experts in:
- Pediatric neurology
- Pediatric psychology
Program Offering
The Pediatric Developmental Evaluation Clinic is offered one or two times a month in the Coordinated Treatment Center, located on the third floor of MeritCare Broadway Health Center, 736 Broadway, Fargo, ND 58122. The evaluation takes about five to six hours to complete, depending on the number of specialists the child needs to see. Appointments are necessary, and anyone involved in caring for the child is encouraged to attend. For more information or to make an appointment, call MeritCare Children's Hospital at (701) 234-6600 or (800) 828-2901, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Facts About Autism
- Autism is considered a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). Symptoms usually appear before the age of three and may include withdrawal from others (wanting to always play alone, not making eye contact, not wanting to be touched, etc.), difficulty with speech, repetitive speech or actions, resistance to any change in their routine, tantrums that include self-inflicted injuries and more.
- More than 500,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with autism or some other PDD.
- One out of every 1,000 children in the United States has autism. Another one in 1,000 suffer from a related PDD.
- Autism is four times more prevalent in boys than girls and is the third most common form of developmental delay.
Visit the meritcare.com health library for more information about autism.
Facts About Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
- Fetal alcohol syndrome is the leading known cause of birth defects, both physical and mental.
- One out of every 750 babies born in the United States suffers from fetal alcohol syndrome. Another 50,000 are born each year with fetal alcohol effects, a lesser form of the same disorder.
- Symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome may include (but are not limited to) low birth weight, developmental delay, heart defects, epilepsy, organ dysfunction, poor muscle coordination, poor socialization skills, learning difficulties and behavioral problems.
MeritCare Children's Hospital
The Pediatric Developmental Evaluation Clinic is a service of MeritCare Children's Hospital, a specialty hospital located within MeritCare Medical Center. The 58-bed medical and surgical facility is designed for the diagnosis, treatment and care of infants, children and adolescents from throughout the region.
The staff at MeritCare Children's Hospital is dedicated to children's health and actively involved in national and local children's medical research studies. Our medical teams bring the latest medical advances to children in our area and serve as a resource to healthcare providers across the United States.
MeritCare Children's Hospital is the only children's hospital between Minneapolis and Seattle to be designated at the highest institutional level. A member of the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions, we are the principal pediatric referral center for the tri-state area.