The Definition of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics
Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics is a subspecialty of Pediatrics, fundamentally based on the teachings of pediatrics, development and clinical epidemiology sciences, approaching children by a holistic approach together with their families and social environment that they live in, assessing development of executive functions of children in the areas such as: cognitive areas (thinking, learning, problem solving), receptive language, expressive language and communication, connection, self care, gesture as well as emotional and behavioral; aiming at early-diagnosis, treatment and prevention of developmental challenges and obstacles, summarily providing service for children with developmental disabilities and barriers (special needs) and their families. Mortality rate also declines in our country as it does all over the world, on the other hand morbidity and disabilities escalate. %13-17 of the children with disabilities or children carrying the risk of becoming disabled, requiring developmental diagnosis, treatment and follow-up are reported.
History;
Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics is considered as the subspecialty of Pediatrics in most of the countries. Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics has fundamental publications and journal, moreover scientific articles regarding this subject are published on the body of pediatric medicine literature every year. The development of Developmental Pediatrics Subspecialty started in The United States of America (USA) during 1980's. Developmental Pediatrics has subspecialty training for three years after Pediatrics. The American Academy of Pediatrics and The American Board of Pediatrics obligate pediatricians to undergo one-month Developmental Pediatrics rotation during their training.
Examples of countries with studies in the field of Developmental Pediatrics are: Germany, United States of America, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, The philippines, Finland, France, South Africa, India, Holland, Japan, England, Israel, Italy, Sweden, Canada, Malaysia, Egypt, Norway, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, New Zeland and Greece.
The scientific discipline of Developmental Pediatrics was established in The Department of Ankara University Faculty of Medicine Department of Pediatrics in the year of 2000 by Prof. Dr. İlgi Ertem who became graduated after she completed her three-year subspecialty training in the field of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics in Yale University and worked in the same institution as a faculty member for one year after in our country. Resident physicians are trained in our country through three-year subspecialty fellowship training program after Developmental Pediatrics was recognized as a subspecialty of General Pediatrics in 2011 via Ankara University Developmental Pediatrics Thesis-based Doctor of Philosophy by 2002. The beginning of Developmental Pediatrics in our hospital is based on The Developmental Pediatrics Unit established in Ankara Children's Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital by Specialist MD Bahar Bingöler Pekcici in 2010. Subspecialty fellows who underwent training under the responsibility of Prof. Dr. İlgi Ertem in Ankara University Faculty of Medicine Department of Developmental Pediatrics in 2019 are going to attend our clinic for 6 months of their training within the scope of ''Developmental Pediatrics Subspecialty Training Program Protocol'' between The Department of Pediatrics Science of Developmental Pediatrics and our clinic.
Fields of Study;
Developmental Pediatrics has four fields of study.
1. Service Providing;
• Supporting development of all children within the health system by up-to-date, scientific, evidence-based methods
• Developmental Evaluation by standard developmental evaluation instruments such as The International Guide for Monitoring Child Development, The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales which have not only national but also international validity.
• Monitorization of the development by a family-centered and transdisciplinary approach based on a World Health Organization The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)
• Determination of developmental risk factors, minimizing, prevention of developmental disorders, early diagnosis of developmental disabilities
• Management of treatment for children with developmental difficulties
• Arrangement of medical treatment of children with special needs or developmental difficulties
• Preparing Special Needs Certificate (ÇÖZGER) for children
The main patient groups Developmental Pediatrics provide service for;
• Premature babies or children with perinatal risks
• Children with developmental disabilities accompanying genetic syndromes, particularly Down Syndrome
• Children with difficulties in the areas of language, cognition, establishment of connection-communication, movement development,
• Children with chronic diseases involving all organ systems in childhood
• Children having behavioral sleep and eating disorders
• Children with disorders affecting the development of movement, particularly Cerebral Palsy
• Children with autism spectrum disorder
• Children at psychosocial risks
• Children with developmental difficulties due to child abuse and neglect
• Children with special needs (challenges)
2. Training: Pediatric specialists who provide health service for children having developmental disabilities or carrying risks, residents, primary care physicians, medical students and other healthcare professionals are provided training in the field of the approach of the concerned occupational groups and society.
3. Study: Developing science specific to our country concerning developmental disabilities and transferring of universal science in consideration of the priorities and conditions of our country.
4. Advocacy Services
• Observation of the development of all children within the health system, providing support, early diagnosis, innovation of techniques and systems in treatment methods
• Advocacy and consultation about legal rights, the rights of benefiting from education and health systems of children with special needs and the procedures of achieving those rights
• Consultation on regulations, laws and policies about children with special needs and their families
The healthcare professionals offering service in Developmental Pediatrics Polyclinic;
• Specialist md. Pelin Çelik - Pediatrician and Subspecialist of Developmental Pediatrics
• Specialist md. İclal Ayrancı Sucaklı -
Pediatrician and Ankara University Graduate School of Health Sciences Pediatrics Developmental
Pediatrics Doctor of Philosophy by Thesis Program
• Gökçe Altunkaya - Child Development Specialist
• Ayşe Karakütük - Child Development Specialist
• Zeynep Özdereli - Child Development Specialist
• Meltem Bayram Şen - Child Development Specialist
• Nesrin Kocaş - The secretary of Developmental Pediatrics