Pediatric Behavioral and Developmental Health at AHN

Childhood developmental and behavioral health issues are common. They include conditions that affect a child's emotions, behavior, and ability to function from day to day. It can be hard to know what is and isn’t normal for a certain age. If you have concerns about your child’s development, talk to your pediatrician. 

Getting developmental care for your child

Behavioral and developmental health screenings are a routine part of your child’s care. If you have any pediatric development concerns, your child’s pediatrician can help provide resources, referrals, recommendations, and other support. This may include: 

• Referrals for therapies (like occupational therapy, physical therapy, or speech therapy).
• Referrals to other providers (like a developmental-behavioral pediatrician).
• Advice and resources that fit your child’s unique needs.
• Medications if needed.

Your child’s pediatrician should be your first call if you notice signs of the following pediatric development concerns:

• Neurodevelopmental disorders, including ADHD, autism, and learning disorders
• Sensory processing difficulties
• Delayed development in language, motor, social, adaptive, and cognitive skills

If you do not already have an AHN Pediatrics provider, you can search for one who has expertise in:

• Developmental-behavioral pediatrics.
• Anxiety in young children.
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 
• Developmental delays.
• Behavior concerns.

Common pediatric development concerns

Neurodevelopmental disorders

This group of disorders are caused by differences in brain development and includes:

• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood. ADHD causes differences in brain development and activity that can affect a child’s ability to pay attention, sit still, follow directions, or control impulsive behavior. 
• Autism. This is a developmental disability affecting social communication. It involves a combination of strong interests, a need for routine, repetitive behaviors or language, and sensory over- or under-responsiveness. The degree and type of impairment vary widely between individuals and can change over time. An assessment of current support needs does not necessarily predict future progress. 
• Learning disorders. Specific learning disorders include dyslexia (trouble with reading), dyscalculia (trouble with math or numbers), and dysgraphia (trouble with writing). Learning disorders often happen when a child has ADHD or another developmental concern. Your pediatrician can help with a referral to a psychologist if your child needs testing or evaluation for a learning disorder.

Sensory processing differences

Some children struggle to regulate their emotions, behaviors, and motor abilities in response to sensory stimulation. Struggling with sensory input (like sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, and body awareness) can affect a child’s ability to develop and function. Children can be hypersensitive, hyposensitive/under-responsive, or sensory stimulation-seeking/impulsive. Though it is not an official diagnosis, sensory processing differences are typically seen in children who are diagnosed with autism, ADHD, or anxiety.

Delayed development

Milestones measure how children play, learn, speak, act, and move as they grow older. Your pediatrician will review these milestones at each visit. While there is a range for each developmental milestone, sometimes children are delayed in meeting one or more milestones. You may notice your child not being able to do things you think they should be able to do, not keeping up with other children their age, or not being able to do a skill they used to do.

Delayed development can happen in the following areas:

• Language skills (talking, understanding language, pointing)
• Motor skills (sitting, walking, running, pedaling, using a crayon or pencil, holding scissors)
• Social skills (getting along with other children)
• Adaptive skills (feeding or dressing themselves, using the bathroom, doing chores)
• Cognitive skills (learning colors, numbers, and letters)

How to schedule

To make or reschedule an appointment with an AHN Pediatrics provider (new and current patients):

• Schedule online 
• Click to call your pediatrician’s office directly
• Call (412) DOCTORS (412) 362-8677

Find pediatric primary care

Choosing the right provider for your child is an important decision. We’ll help you find an AHN pediatrician who matches your needs. 

Appointment options

AHN Pediatrics offers in-person appointments, telehealth virtual appointments, and 24/7 sick child support. Learn more about our appointment options.

Insurance coverage

AHN Pediatrics is part of the Allegheny Clinic Physicians group. You can check your insurance coverage at all Allegheny Clinic Physician practices or call the Member Service phone number on the back of your member ID card.

MyChart^® benefits

AHN Pediatrics uses the AHN MyChart patient portal to send important information related to your child’s care. You can also use MyChart to ask nonurgent questions, request prescription refills, or pay a medical bill for any of your child’s AHN health care providers. 

Sign up for a free MyChart account and download the MyChart app for on-the-go convenience: