Understanding Developmental & Behavioral Pediatricians: What They Do and How They Can Help

Developmental and Behavioral Pediatricians (DBPs) are, in essence, doctors who specialize in understanding how a child’s growing brain and environment affect their behavior and learning.

You may be asking yourself “Why is this a separate field? Isn’t that what my pediatrician should do?“. 

The answer is that child development is more complex than we initially thought, and just like your pediatrician can refer to a cardiologist if they have concerns about your child’s heart, they refer to developmental & behavioral pediatricians when a child has challenges that go beyond they feel need more help than they can provide. 

In the mid-20th century, researchers started looking into how kids grow and change, both in their thinking (like learning to read) and how they interact with the world (like making friends), and came to the startling realization that children are not just smaller humans and that and a lot of their behavior can often be explained by the stage of development of their brain.  Names like Piaget and Erikson became important because they helped us understand these stages. This was the first step to realizing that when kids struggle, it’s not always just “bad behavior” – it can be connected to how they’re developing.

Around the same time, we started looking at how a child’s behavior and surroundings affected each other. This was called “behavioral pediatrics,” and it taught us that a child’s behavior isn’t isolated; it’s influenced by what’s happening at home, at school, and with their friends.

With this new knowledge, doctors and other professionals caring for children realized that kids with developmental and behavioral challenges needed doctors who specifically understood these issues and could spend time addressing them. This gave way to the creation of the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics in the 1980s with DBP becoming an official subspecialty with dedicated training programs in 1999. 

Why would my child need a DBP evaluation?

                                                           There are many reasons why your child’s pediatrician or other professionals involved in their care may recommend an evaluation from the Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrician. 

Some of them include delays in reaching milestones, concerns about learning, trouble paying attention, difficulty following directions, difficulty regulating emotions, challenges interacting with peers, or withdrawn behavior are only a few of the typical concerns that may lead a parent to want an evaluation for their child. 

What does an evaluation at Beehave look like? 

A typical evaluation at Beehave is a multiple-hour process, with the first hour always spent having an in-depth conversation about your child, the family dynamic, your child’s challenges, and strengths. During this hour we also review the information provided by teachers, therapists, or other professionals involved with your child. 

The information obtained during this first hour is then used to decide the specific tests your child would benefit from. After the evaluation process is complete, a session is scheduled to talk about recommendations to help your child’s progress. 

Do you follow up on children’s progress after an initial evaluation? 

Absolutely! If a challenge is identified, monitoring response to therapies is crucial for progress. Your child’s goals should always be adjusted as they grow and reach milestones. 

Concerned About Your Child’s Development or Behavior?

We’re here to help. A DBP evaluation can provide answers and guidance.

📞 Call us at (754) 200-1756
🌐 Request an evaluation online at Beehave