Initial Screening Assessment

As a way to address the large number of referral requests received by DDC each month, and in an effort to reduce waiting times for families and referring providers, DDC now offers a “developmental triage” clinic appointment within six weeks of receipt of necessary information from the family and referring physician. This one hour appointment focuses on how best to address the referral questions. Additional appointments may be necessary at DDC to investigate the concerns and generate management recommendations. Alternatively, if the referral questions would be better addressed by another facility, that information will be provided.

Return to Top

Interdisciplinary Team Assessment

Interdisciplinary teams consist of a speech/language pathologist, a psychological examiner, a clinical social worker, a nurse practitioner, an attending psychologist, and an attending developmental pediatrician. These teams perform comprehensive evaluations of children referred for a variety of developmental concerns. Programming and referral recommendations and education of family, educators, and other service providers are provided.

Return to Top

Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD)/Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Clinic

The Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Clinic is a multi-disciplinary assessment clinic for children whose primary problem is inattention, disorganization, disruptive behavior, distractibility, impulsivity, or hyperactivity.

Return to Top

Autism Program

The Autism Program provides interdisciplinary diagnostic assessments of children referred due to severe communication problems, difficulty with social relatedness, and atypical behaviors suggestive of autism.  Programming and referral recommendations and education of family, educators and other service providers are part of this process.

Follow-up evaluations for children previously diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder may also be arranged based on the specific needs of the child.

Return to Top

Developmental Diagnostic Clinic

This clinic performs initial and follow-up diagnostic evaluations of children referred for developmental concerns, including autism spectrum disorders.  Parents and referring providers are given diagnostic impressions and recommendations for treatment or additional evaluation as indicated.  If medication use is advised, recommendations are made to the primary care provider, who remains the primary contact for ongoing care and monitoring.  The developmental clinician then provides follow-up consultation as necessary.

Due to the large volume of patients referred to this clinic, some appointments are scheduled concurrently with a nurse practitioner working closely with the developmental physician.

Return to Top

Developmental Medical Clinic

This clinic provides assessment and treatment of children with developmental problems which may include testing, counseling and medication intervention.  Recommendations are given based on the patients’ needs for intervention.  Follow-up treatment is referred back to the primary physician and reports are provided for ongoing care.

Return to Top

Developmental Outreach Clinics

The Developmental Outreach Clinics provide diagnostic and follow-up care for children at risk or children who are experiencing developmental, learning or behavior problems.  Developmental outreach provides evaluation and referrals with a focus on, but not limited to, the early identification of developmental disabilities in the preschool child.  Currently clinics are held in the following locations:

Alma, Dewitt, El Dorado, Helena, Hope, Hot Springs, Lake Village, Marshall, Mountain Home, Russellville and Texarkana

Return to Top

Pediatric Psychology Clinic

The Pediatric Psychology Clinic at the Dennis Developmental Center provides outpatient assessment and therapy clinics to address a variety of issues:

·        Learning Disabilities Clinic:  The Learning Disabilities Clinic is an assessment clinic for children in Kindergarten or older whose primary concern is to assess for possible learning disabilities or dyslexia, or who are experiencing poor academic performance.

·        Pediatric Neuropsychology Clinic:  The Pediatric Neuropsychology Clinic provides neuropsychological evaluations for children ages 6 and older.  This clinic sees children with a variety of issues including those with a history of Traumatic Brain Injury, Seizure Disorder, Spina Bifida, Brain Tumor, or other medical condition that affects neurocognitive functioning.

·        Medical Crisis and Loss Clinic:  The Medical Crisis and Loss Clinic provides diagnostic assessment and therapy to for all ages of youth to address emotional problems, difficulty coping with medical issues, grief/loss counseling, behavioral problems related to medical issues, and/or medical noncompliance (for example, diabetes, GI difficulties, asthma, cancer, cystic fibrosis, obesity, sleep problems, chronic pain). 

·        Feeding Disorders Clinic:  The Feeding Disorders Clinic provides diagnostic assessment and therapy for children 0-5 years of age for a variety of feeding difficulties and/or behavioral issues related to medical illness.

·        Behavioral Change and Emotional Support for Overweight Youth:  The Behavioral Change and Emotional Support for Overweight Yough clinic provides diagnostic assessment and emotional support for overweight youth of all ages, as well as designing a behavioral plan to improve motivation and meet nutritional and physical activity goals. 

·        Strong Willed Child Clinic:  The Strong Willed Child Clinic is for children ages 2-5 years old whose primary problem is oppositional behavior at home.  This clinic provides diagnostic assessment and therapy focusing on improving parent-child interactions. 

Return to Top

Speech/Language Pathology Services

The Speech/Language Pathology Program provides a wide variety of evaluation services to outpatients.  Evaluations are available one-to-one or through an interdisciplinary team.  Articulation disorders, language delays or disorders, voice disorders, fluency disorders and oral-motor disorders are diagnosed in this program.  Information concerning speech/language services available throughout the state is also provided.  Inservices on any of the above topics can be arranged for medical staff, parents or interested community members.

Return to Top

Social Work Services

The Social Work Services department provides a wide variety of clinical services.  Social workers function as integral members of multidisciplinary team evaluations and other specialty clinics, conducting psychosocial and diagnostic assessments, screening for emotional and behavioral issues and providing parent education.  A primary goal of Social Work Services is providing support to the families and children served.  Referrals to appropriate agencies and community resources such as mental health centers, parent support groups, early intervention specialists and educational professionals are a crucial part of this support and assure continuity of services for families.

Return to Top