Pediatric Behavioral Health and Development

Compassionate Treatment for Children and Youth

Every parent wants to see their child happy, fully engaged, learning and growing. Sometimes, however, a child may show social, behavioral or functional issues that indicate the possibility of a neurodevelopmental problem. The Orlando Health Children's Neuroscience Institute, supported by the Leon Pediatric Neuroscience Fund is here to help. Offering comprehensive treatment – including behavioral and holistic approaches – the center diagnoses and treats children and youth with the following conditions:

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (including accompanying anxiety and depression)
• Autism spectrum disorders, including what used to be called Asperger’s syndrome
• Behavioral concerns such as tantrums and aggression
• Behavioral feeding disorders
• Communication, speech and language concerns
• Hyperactivity
• Intellectual deficits
• Learning difficulties
• Oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder

Expert Care for Our Most Delicate

The center also supports the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) by participating in the NICU Development Clinic and screening babies for neurodevelopmental health.

Treating Children for Healthy Development

If you suspect you may have a child with a neurodevelopmental issue, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. It’s estimated that approximately 15 percent of children in the U.S. between the ages 3 to 17 are affected by neurodevelopmental disorders. The good news is that children with such challenges can be helped. Neurodevelopmental pediatrician Naina Mehta, MD, who leads the Behavioral and Developmental Center, consistently sees improvements in behavior and learning ability in the patients she treats. 

A Comprehensive Approach

The Behavioral and Development Center incorporates behavioral and holistic approaches as a normal part of their treatments. They also prescribes medications when necessary. The center has co-published studies demonstrating the benefits of meditation, yoga and breathing practices for children and youth with ADHD and learning difficulties, and regularly sees positive results with patients who apply these practices.

An Opportunity to Overcome and Understand

The Behavioral and Developmental Center sees children and youth of all ages, from infants to teens and young adults up to 21 years. Patients are evaluated by a physician or nurse practitioner, and a psychologist with social worker assistance in referring families to additional community resources, as needed. We treat each child, teen and young adult as a unique individual, collaborating with primary care physicians, other Arnold Palmer Hospital specialists and community providers when appropriate, including neuropsychologists, behavioral therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists and occupational therapists.