Developmental and Behavioral Unit Services

Developmental Care Program
The Developmental Care Team (DCT) provides intensive care inpatient support services to babies and their families.  The DCT will collaborate with nurses, physicians and parents on establishing an individualized plan of care appropriate to the developmental needs and sensitivities of the baby.  The team is comprised of infant development specialists including an educator, psychologist, physical therapists, occupational therapists and nurses. These specialists can be helpful in providing information on positioning, handling, coping with environmental factors and providing developmental assessments and recommendations for services that will help the baby after discharge.

Neonatal High Risk Infant Follow-up Program
Infants born at risk for developmental problems due to prematurity or other medical complications during the neonatal period are seen as part of the High Risk Infant Follow-up Program, a service for graduates of the Neonatal Intensive Care Units at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and its affiliates. Children are evaluated in the clinic at regular intervals to monitor their growth and development.  At each visit, infants receive individualized developmental assessment and parents are provided with support and information to enhance their child’s progress.  If necessary, appropriate referrals are facilitated to community agencies and early intervention programs.

Developmental Consultation Service
Specific to children less than three years of age, the clinic team is available to provide developmental assessments for children who are at risk for delay or who have a concerning aspect to their development. Children may be referred to the clinic by parents, physicians or other care providers. They will be evaluated by team specialists with the same emphasis on family-centered care. Referrals are coordinated on an individual basis by clinic staff skilled in case management.
 
Research Support Services
The clinic supports advances in neonatal medicine by participation in research.  We are part of a nationwide, multi-center cooperative research effort through the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.  Consistent with our mission to provide outstanding neonatal care, special research programs provide additional developmental information useful for families in gaining insight about their children.

Preemie Graduate Services
A family-centered resource and support service aimed at continuing multidisciplinary medical access for issues specific to school age children born prematurely.  Support staff is available for attaining information specific to issues of prematurity and individual children’s needs.  Services include consultations, evaluations, advocacy and referral services.  These services support families in nurturing their child’s growth and development by understanding their individual child’s strengths and areas of need.