Our specialists offer expert evaluation, counseling, and treatment for children and adolescents with a variety of developmental and behavioral challenges. We care for patients with conditions ranging from ADHD and oppositional-defiant behavior, to autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities. In addition, we treat fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, anxiety and depression, bedwetting, and Tourette’s syndrome. We provide families with detailed patient evaluations and treatment plans. Patients can be seen either at our outpatient developmental medicine center, or through inpatient and community consultations. Our team includes board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians, nurse practitioners, social workers, speech and language pathologists, psychologists, and occupational and physical therapists.

The Adolescent Medicine Program offers a broad range of clinical services to meet the health needs of those aged 12-25 years. This is a dynamic and exciting period of life, characterized by profound social, cognitive and physical change. The goal of adolescent medicine is to identify and build upon each teen’s strengths to support their general health and wellness. Adolescent and young adult medicine physicians are trained in these developmental needs, as well as in preventing and treating medical conditions that are common in this age group. A teen’s experience in adolescent medicine may be different from other visits to the doctor: Adolescent medicine physicians may work closely with other providers who specialize in mental health, nutrition, and social work. Secondly, each teen will be seen independently for part of the visit; the physician’s focus will be on the adolescent or young adult as an independent patient. Finally, some of the child’s care will be confidential. Adolescent and young adult medicine physicians are trained to assess all areas of children’s health, including their physical and mental health. Some areas, including mental or reproductive health, are considered confidential care, which is regulated by state laws for minors. When care is confidential, parents may not be told about all aspects of care by the clinician. Some parents may have concerns that important information may be hidden from them. However, it is important to note that if a teen talks about concerns related to physical harm, such as harming themselves, planning to harm someone else, or that someone is harming them, this information is not kept secret, and the physician works with the teen to identify next steps in how to get them help in those situations. Adolescent and young adult medicine physicians receive training on talking with patients about confidentiality and their rights as a patient, particularly for younger teens. These physicians also work with adolescent patients to consider ways to foster conversations with their parents about important topics, such as mental and reproductive health, so that parents can best support their teen and their health. Adolescent and young adult medicine physicians may require a referral for a clinic visit. Some conditions that may lead to a referral include menstrual disorders, contraception needs, sexual health counseling, mental health issues (such as depression, anxiety, and ADHD), substance use, and pubertal skin issues such as acne.

At any time and every day of the year, our highly trained specialists are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to prevent, diagnose, and manage a vast array of acute illness and injuries among infants, children, and adolescents. We collaborate with pediatric medical and surgical specialists to bring the best emergency care to infants and children. Each year, the Pediatric Emergency Department at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, a Level I trauma center, treats more than 40,000 children from infancy to age 20. The state-of-the-art, dedicated children’s department features 16 rooms and two major treatment/trauma rooms. It is in close proximity to but distinctly separate from the adult emergency department, and is staffed by physicians and nurses skilled in caring for children. Full-time pediatricians, each of whom has completed additional training in pediatric emergency medicine, oversee patient care. Our staff is ready for any medical emergency, but common conditions we treat include: Respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses Poisoning, including environmental toxins Major and minor trauma, including head injury Suspected child abuse and neglect Abdominal emergencies Behavioral and psychiatric emergencies In addition to our attending emergency medicine physicians, our team includes fellows, physician assistants, pediatric residents, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, sexual assault nurse examiners, and forensic experts. Our patients have 24-hour access to experts from all pediatric specialties, including toxicology and critical care. Child life specialists and pediatric social workers are also ready to ease the emergency room experience for children and families. Our team is expert in the fields of bedside ultrasound, injury prevention, and disaster preparedness.