Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician: What They Do & When Your Child Needs One
Quick answer: A developmental and behavioral pediatrician (DBP) is a pediatrician with extra training in how children grow, learn and behave. They evaluate and treat children with autism, ADHD, developmental delays, learning differences, intellectual disability and complex behavior problems. Children are usually referred by their pediatrician when a screening or a parent’s concern suggests development is off track. A first evaluation is typically longer than a regular checkup and often includes standardized testing, a detailed history and input from school or therapists.
What is a developmental and behavioral pediatrician?
A developmental and behavioral pediatrician is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of developmental and behavioral conditions in children. These conditions can affect a child’s movement, language, thinking, social skills, emotions and behavior, at home and at school.
Because they are pediatricians first, DBPs look at the whole child: medical history, sleep, nutrition, hearing and vision, genetics, family life and learning environment. They can diagnose conditions, prescribe medication when appropriate, and coordinate care with therapists, psychologists and schools. According to the CDC, about 1 in 6 U.S. children ages 3 to 17 has one or more developmental disabilities.
Developmental and behavioral pediatrician at a glance
| Who they see | Infants, children and teens (and sometimes young adults) with developmental, learning or behavior concerns |
| Training | Medical school (4 years) + pediatrics residency (3 years) + developmental-behavioral pediatrics fellowship (3 years) |
| Board certification | American Board of Pediatrics, in General Pediatrics and the Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics subspecialty |
| Common conditions | Autism, ADHD, speech and language delay, learning disabilities, intellectual disability, behavior and sleep problems |
| What they do | Comprehensive evaluations, diagnosis, medication management, therapy and school recommendations, care coordination |
| Works with | Psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, neurologists, schools |
What conditions does a developmental and behavioral pediatrician treat?
- Autism spectrum disorder: differences in social communication and repetitive behaviors or intense interests. Learn about the M-CHAT autism screening.
- ADHD: ongoing trouble with attention, hyperactivity or impulsivity. See ADHD in children.
- Developmental delays: including speech and language delay, cognitive delay and social and emotional delay, as well as motor delays.
- Learning disabilities: such as dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia. See common tests for learning disabilities.
- Intellectual disability and genetic conditions that affect development, such as Down syndrome, fragile X and Angelman syndrome.
- Behavior problems: severe tantrums, aggression, oppositional defiant disorder and anxiety-related behavior.
- Tics and Tourette syndrome: see Tourette syndrome in children.
- Sleep, feeding and toileting problems linked to development, including bedwetting and toileting issues.
- Children born premature or with medical conditions that put development at risk, who need ongoing follow-up.
When should my child see a developmental and behavioral pediatrician?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends developmental screening at the 9-, 18- and 30-month well visits, and autism screening at 18 and 24 months. Your pediatrician may refer you to a DBP if a screening raises concerns, or if you notice signs like these:
- Not babbling, pointing or responding to their name by around 12 months
- Few or no words by 16 to 18 months, or no two-word phrases by 24 months
- Losing skills they once had, such as words or social smiles (this always needs prompt evaluation)
- Limited eye contact, little interest in other children, or very repetitive play
- Trouble focusing, sitting still or following directions that affects school or friendships
- Struggling with reading, writing or math despite extra help
- Behavior that is much more intense, frequent or harder to manage than other kids the same age
Not sure? Start with our guide to whether your child’s development is on track and the baby development milestones from birth to 24 months. If you are worried, don’t wait. Early support works best, and you can ask for a free early intervention evaluation (for children under 3) or a school evaluation (age 3 and up) at the same time as you wait for a specialist.
What happens at a developmental evaluation?
A first visit is often longer than a typical checkup and may be split across more than one appointment. It usually includes:
- A detailed history: pregnancy and birth, milestones, health, sleep, family history and your main concerns.
- Observation and play: watching how your child moves, talks, plays and interacts.
- Standardized tools: questionnaires for parents and teachers, and age-based developmental or autism assessments. See developmental screening tools pediatricians use.
- A physical and neurological exam, plus hearing and vision checks if not recently done.
- Testing when needed, such as genetic tests, sleep studies or referrals to neurology.
- A care plan: a diagnosis if one fits, recommended therapies (speech, occupational, behavioral), school supports such as an IEP or 504 plan, and medication when appropriate.
Tips to prepare: bring report cards, teacher notes, prior evaluations, therapy reports and short phone videos of the behaviors that worry you. Write down your top three questions so they don’t get lost in a long visit.
Developmental pediatrician vs. child psychologist vs. pediatric neurologist
| Specialist | Focus | Can prescribe medication? |
|---|---|---|
| Developmental and behavioral pediatrician | Development, learning and behavior, with the child’s whole medical picture in view | Yes |
| Child psychologist | Psychological testing and talk or behavior therapy | No (in most states) |
| Child psychiatrist | Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder | Yes |
| Pediatric neurologist | Brain and nerve conditions such as seizures, headaches and cerebral palsy | Yes |
How do I find a developmental and behavioral pediatrician near me?
Ask your pediatrician for a referral, check your insurance’s specialist list, and look for board certification in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics. DBPs often practice at children’s hospitals and university medical centers, and wait lists can be long, so get on a list early and ask to be called if a cancellation opens up.
Every listing in the Pediatric.me directory is NPI-verified from the U.S. federal registry. You can also compare other types of pediatricians.
Frequently asked questions
What does a developmental and behavioral pediatrician do?
A developmental and behavioral pediatrician evaluates, diagnoses and treats children with developmental, learning and behavior conditions such as autism, ADHD and developmental delays. They create care plans, prescribe medication when appropriate, and coordinate with therapists and schools.
Can a developmental pediatrician diagnose autism?
Yes. Developmental and behavioral pediatricians are among the specialists who diagnose autism spectrum disorder, along with child psychologists, child psychiatrists and pediatric neurologists. They also look for related conditions such as ADHD, sleep problems or language delays.
Can a developmental pediatrician diagnose and treat ADHD?
Yes. They can diagnose ADHD, rule out conditions that look like it, recommend behavior strategies and school supports, and prescribe and monitor ADHD medication.
What is the difference between a developmental pediatrician and a regular pediatrician?
A regular pediatrician screens for developmental problems during checkups and manages many common concerns. A developmental and behavioral pediatrician has three extra years of fellowship training and does in-depth evaluations for children with more complex or unclear developmental and behavior needs.
Do I need a referral to see a developmental and behavioral pediatrician?
Often, yes. Many practices and insurance plans require a referral from your child’s pediatrician, and a referral with screening results can help your child get seen sooner. Check with your insurance plan and the specialist’s office.
What age should a child see a developmental pediatrician?
Any age, from infancy through the teen years. Many children are first seen as toddlers when speech or social skills are delayed, while others are referred in school for attention, learning or behavior concerns. The earlier a concern is checked, the sooner support can begin.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always talk with your child’s pediatrician about their specific situation and development.
