If you have concerns about the way your child is developing, we have a program that can diagnose and treat developmental delays and other challenges.  Our developmental pediatricians and clinical staff have highly-specialized training to address conditions such as ADD, ADHD, Autism, Asperger’s, developmental disabilities, genetic or language disorders, and learning disabilities.

They specialize in diagnosing and treating infants and children 0-18 and work closely with your pediatrician or family practice physician (primary care physician).  You will continue to see your primary care physician for general illnesses, injuries and well-checks. 

Developmental Pediatricians also work closely with specialists in man areas of practice, such as speech pathologists, psychologists and psychiatrists, geneticists, neurologists and occupational/physical therapists.  In man instances, your child’s doctor will collaborate with professionals in these specialties, to ensure the most effective and beneficial treatment for your child.

Your child’s developmental pediatrician will not only offer an evaluation and possible diagnosis of your child’s development, but will identify his or her strengths as an individual.  Together with a team of specialists, the developmental pediatrician will develop a plan to help your child reach his or her full potential

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an effective treatment backed by 20 years of research. It consists of 12-20 sessions and is engaging for both the parent and child. Live coaching is the primary method of training, through an earpiece, while the therapist observes the caregiver and child. Caregivers are coached by the therapist on specific play-therapy and discipline techniques.

For children, many experiences can be traumatic, including: moving to a new home, separation from parents, witnessing or hearing violence, divorce, loss of a family member or friend, physical injuries, and abuse.

Nearly 10% of Americans will experience symptoms of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) at some point in their life.  With treatment, 70% of individuals report a significant reduction or elimination of symptoms.

Parent Groups
Harbor offers many parenting groups that serve as an important part of your child’s treatment plan. These groups educate about specific disorders and provide direction on the best ways to encourage appropriate behaviors. These parenting groups offer the tools to better understand a child with developmental disabilities, delays or disorders.

Psychiatric Evaluation & Medication Services

Psychiatric evaluations are a detailed interview to identify the mental and developmental needs of your child. These evaluations may lead to the use of medication. If medications are prescribed, your child’s usage and reactions will be monitored through medication management appointments.

Psychological Testing

Psychological testing is often recommended to answer questions about your child’s problems with learning, behavior and attention deficit. Psychological testing also can assess for mood problems such as anxiety and depression, and assess for cognitive problems and developmental delays.

Symptoms of youth suffering with trauma may include:

• Frequent nightmares
• Emotional reactivity
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fear of the dark
• Fear of being alone

Trauma can originate from any number of experiences such as:

• Abuse (physical, emotional, sexual)
• Domestic Violence (witnessed or victim of)
• Loss of a loved one
• Natural Disasters (tornados, car accidents, fires)

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network recommends the following treatments:

Advantages of TF-CBT (Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy):

• Show reductions in areas such as depression, anxiety, dissociation, behavior problems, sexualized behavior, and trauma-related shame

• Demonstrate improved interpersonal trust and social competence

• Develop improved personal safety skills

Advantages of PCIT (Parent-Child Interaction Therapy):

• Improves children’s self-esteem
• Helps children develop their ability to cope with issues such as: frustration, anger, anxiety, and sadness
• Improves relationship and support between parent and child

Harbor is the only location in Northwest Ohio providing both TF-CBT and PCIT.