Developmental and Behavioral Health
Developmental and Behavioral Health
The Developmental and Behavioral Health Division at Children’s Mercy cares for children and teens who need extra support with developmental, psychiatric, or psychological concerns.
In the Robert and Karissa Alumbaugh Family Developmental and Behavioral Science Health program, our specialists in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychology and Developmental Pediatrics work collaboratively with primary care doctors and specialists at Children’s Mercy and throughout the surrounding communities to provide comprehensive care.
We understand that your child’s mental, emotional and behavioral health is an integral part of their wellbeing. Our goal is to provide families with diagnosis and treatment services that contribute to healthier children and stronger families.
I have a concern, where do I start?
If you feel your child may have a developmental or behavioral health concern, it can be difficult to know what steps to take next. Review the list of services offered below to get started.
Assessment services
The goal of these clinics is to evaluate your child’s development, skills and behaviors. The clinical team will share information with you about any diagnoses they make, and they will provide you with resources for care and treatment.
The Autism Clinic team provides developmental evaluations for children ages 1 to 17 who may have an autism spectrum disorder or other neurodevelopmental differences.
Developmental pediatricians provide a medical assessment and developmental evaluation of children under 6 years old with suspected developmental delays in more than one area. Families come for periodic follow-up visits to monitor their child’s development.
Outpatient clinical psychology services focus on evaluation and treatment of complex mental and behavioral health concerns. In most cases, we see children who have mental health needs that require additional support beyond the scope of their primary care provider or school district.
Medication management clinics
Finding the right combination of medications and dosages can be complicated. Our experts work together with you, your child and your child’s health care providers to find what works for your child.
Developmental pediatricians provide medical evaluation and specialty care for children with developmental disorders such as autism and intellectual disability. Children’s Mercy providers partner with your child’s primary care provider to manage medication and other treatments for symptoms such as impulsivity, inattention, anxiety and agitation.
The psychiatry clinic provides medication management for mental health conditions in youth who also have medical or developmental disorders. We primarily work with children who are actively receiving treatment in other medical clinics at Children’s Mercy.
Specialty centers
Children’s Mercy is home to nationally-recognized care centers for children and teens with Eating Disorders and Tourette Syndrome.
The Eating Disorders Center at Children's Mercy provides specialized outpatient services to children, adolescents, and young adults with all types of eating disorders. We use a family-based approach tailored to each individual to evaluate and treat their eating disorder.
Children with Tourette syndrome receive the highest level of care in the Midwest at the Children’s Mercy Tourette Syndrome Center of Excellence — the nation’s only center of excellence devoted exclusively to kids.
Parent coaching programs
Parenting a child with developmental differences can be challenging. We provide training and coaching programs for parents of children with ADHD or autism.
Children’s Mercy offers training for parents of children ages 3.5-5 years of age and students 6-12 years of age with known or suspected ADHD.
We offer a group and individual coaching program for parents and caregivers of children with autism and other developmental disorders to decrease problem behaviors and teach skills.
Comprehensive care for children with medical and mental health concerns
Our pediatric psychology team helps patients throughout Children’s Mercy’s hospitals and clinics who are learning to manage their health and wellbeing.
Pediatric Psychologists work with medical teams throughout the hospital to provide psychological care to patients with medical conditions and concerns.
Making an Appointment
There are several steps between your initial phone call and first appointment in a Developmental & Behavioral Health clinic at Children's Mercy. Learn more about what to expect.
Find the right support for your child
At Children’s Mercy, we strive to care for as many children and families as possible. Sometimes, that care happens in our hospitals and clinics. Other times, we connect you with community providers to help your child get the services they need as quickly as possible.
Before you call us for an appointment, please see the information below about some common conditions that we typically do not see at Children’s Mercy unless your child’s condition is complex or requires additional specialized care.
Children’s Mercy does not provide therapy to the general pediatric population for anxiety, depression, anger management, aggression or addiction. Visit our Mental Health Resources page or call your insurance carrier for help with finding a therapist in your community.
If you have concerns about attention problems or possible ADHD, start by talking with your child’s primary care provider. In many cases, your doctor will be able to make the diagnosis and manage your child’s treatment.
Health care providers: see our ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment Process Map for additional information on caring for children with ADHD.
The Developmental and Behavioral Health department does not provide therapy and counseling for common behavior problems in childhood. However, family therapy and parent training opportunities are available through our Social Work department.
Community Mental Health Centers provide case management and wraparound services for children with serious mental health conditions. Wraparound services put your child at the center of a team of support people who work together to help them navigate all aspects of their life.
Children’s Mercy does not provide these services directly, but you can find information on how to connect with your community mental health center on our Mental Health Resources page.
We offer a variety a of educational videos featuring Children's Mercy experts in pediatric developmental and behavioral health.
Children’s Mercy does not perform psychology evaluations for use in legal proceedings (sometimes called Forensic Evaluations).
All school districts in Missouri, and some in Kansas, can provide evaluations when there are concerns about academic progress or school performance. Please talk with your school district prior to seeking a learning disability evaluation at Children’s Mercy. Your child’s principal or school counselor can help you start this process.
Mental Health Patient Family Advisory Council
The Mental Health Patient Family Advisory Council (PFAC) supports the highest standard of excellence in care at Children's Mercy through meaningful collaboration between families and hospital staff.
The inspiration behind our program
The transformative care in the Developmental and Behavioral Health program is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Robert and Karissa Alumbaugh Family.
- Developmental and Behavioral Health Home
- Making an Appointment
- ADHD Services
- Autism Clinic
- Developmental Delay Clinic
- Eating Disorders Center
- Educational Videos
- Integrated Psychology Services
- Learning Opportunities
- Mental Health Resources
- Outpatient Psychology Services
- Psychiatry Services
- Salud Mental en Niños y Adolescentes
- Tourette Syndrome Center
- Mental Health Patient Family Advisory Council
- Developmental and Behavioral Health Research
- Meet the Team