Pediatrics - Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics |

This program sees children from birth to 22 years with a variety of developmental and behavioral issues including developmental language delay, school challenges including ADHD, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety disorders, behavioral problems, traumatic exposures and their impact, and more.

Visit the emergency room or call 911 if you feel your child is at risk of hurting themselves or others.

Our typical model of care is a 3 part consultation:

Visit 1 is a parent/guardian only meeting to discuss the concerning history of the child/adolescent and to gather information from previous providers working with the family. This visit is typically virtual. For example: early intervention records, teacher information, prior testing, etc.
Visit 2 is an assessment/evaluation with the child. This visit is in person. This typically occurs after we have collected any prior testing information or evaluation forms.
Visit 3 is an appointment with the family to discuss diagnosis and recommendations.Ideally this is in person but can be changed to telemedicine if necessitated.

For appointments or more information, please call 617.414.4841.

Resources for Families Referred to BMC DBP (.pdf)

Contact Us

617.414.4841

Monday, Wednesday Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00PM Tuesday, Thursday 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Specialty Clinics

Programs and Services

SPARK Center

The SPARK Center at Boston Medical Center is site for specialty pediatric and maternal health programs. Nestled in Mattapan, the SPARK Center offers supportive services in a tranquil, welcoming environment.

Autism Program

The Autism Program assists and empowers individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and related disabilities through direct patient care and support, provider education, and community-based outreach. This unique Program fills a critical gap in existing community and hospital-based resources for families of children with autism because few programs are available in Boston for families with limited English proficiency.

Conditions We Treat

Our Team

Developmental and Behavioral Health Team

Developmental and Behavioral Clinicians

Marilyn C. Augustyn, MD

Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician

Audrey K Christiansen, MD

Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician

Rachel S. Amgott, NP

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Sarah K. Canale, MD

Mei A. Elansary, MD

Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician

Mary Ellen Killion, NP

Christina M. Lazdowsky, NP

Bridget Poznanski, PhD

Psychologist

Arathi Reddy, DO

Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician

Arielle Spellun, MD

Pediatrician

Current Fellows

Rachel Vuolo, MD
Selcen Yaroglu Kazanci, MD

Referral Team

Katie Campbell

Sharon Nerboso

Grow Clinic

Soukaina Adolphe, MD

Pediatrician

Deborah A. Frank, MD

Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician

Megan T. Sandel, MD, MPH

Pediatrician

Margot Tang, MD

Pediatric Gastroenterologist

Child Protection

Genevieve L. Preer, MD

Pediatrician

Elizabeth Egan, LCSW

Taneequa Fields, LCSW

Autism Program

Sara Bastin

Katie Campbell

Liz Ferriero

Alex Friedman

Maddy Goskoski

Hillary Hollis

Shari Krauss

Jacqueline McKendry

Comprehensive Care Program

John S. Maypole, MD

Pediatrician

Jodi K. Wenger, MD

Pediatrician

Child Witness to Violence

Courtney Ann Bailey, LICSW

Social Worker

Greysha Berrios, MA

Child/Adolescent Behavioral Health Clinician

Neena N McConnico, LMHC

Maureen A. Patterson-Fede, LICSW

Mental Health Clinician

Katherine Thomas, LMHC

Carmen Rosa Norona, LICSW, Ms. Ed., CEIS Clinical Coordinator of CWVP & Associate Director of ETTN

Stacy Normand, LICSW Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinician Lead

Sarah Hacking, LMHC Clinician

Amalia Perla, LMHC Mental Health and Intake Clinician

Natalie Heywood, MA Clinician

Rory White, LCSW Marigold Clinical Fellow

Good Grief

Maureen A. Patterson-Fede, LICSW

Mental Health Clinician

Patient Resources

Resources for Families Referred to BMC DBP

Enrolling your Child in Early Intervention: Children less than three years of age are eligible for services through Early Intervention. Please visit https://www.massfamilyties.org/ to find resources for an evaluation for your child. Parents can self refer and providers will evaluate your child in the home or at a center in your area to provide therapy.

Parent School Special Education Resource Packet: The following packet provides information for parents about the process to obtain an Individualized Education Plan for your child. Parents can provide a letter to the school requesting an evaluation if they are concerned about their child’s progress in school. Concerns can also include speech and language delays.
All Boston (and you!) Can Do For Your Child (ABCD) - English
All Boston (and you!) Can Do For Your Child (ABCD) - Spanish
All Boston (and you!) Can Do For Your Child (ABCD) - Haitian Creole
All Boston (and you!) Can Do For Your Child (ABCD) - Portuguese

Model of Care (Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics)

An explanation of the three steps of our typical model of care

Breathing Exercises for Pre-K to Middle School Children

This video was designed to offer breathing and yoga exercises for pre-K to middle school children struggling with remote learning.

Provider Resources

Referrals to Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at BMC

This page provides all the information a provider will need to refer to the Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics program at BMC.

Model of Care (Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics)

An explanation of the three steps of our typical model of care

Supporting Patients While Waiting for Evaluation - Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

The Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics program at BMC has high referral rates. While waiting, we have provided the following recommendations to support waiting patients.

Additional Information

The Massachusetts Center for Unexpected Infant and Child Death

All Boston (and you!) Can Do For Your Child (ABCD) - English

All Boston (and you!) Can Do For Your Child (ABCD) - Spanish

All Boston (and you!) Can Do For Your Child (ABCD) - Haitian Creole

All Boston (and you!) Can Do For Your Child (ABCD) - Portuguese

Research Overview

Information about our current research is available via our annual research highlights:

Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 2021 Research Highlights
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 2022 Research Highlights

Residency and Fellowship Information

The Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP) training program offers clinical, academic and advocacy training in the context of an urban setting. Our primary clinical training site is at Boston Medical Center, which is the largest safety net hospital in New England and has a long standing commitment to providing exceptional care without exception. Special emphasis is placed on the DBP issues families face living in the inner city.

Learn more about our training program.

For general information about program or application materials, please contact:

Kristin Cordes
Fellowship Coordinator
617.414.3665
Kristin.Cordes@bmc.org

For program information, please contact:

Audrey Christiansen, MD, Program Director
Boston Medical Center
Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics
801 Massachusetts Avenue, 7th Floor
Boston, MA 02118
617.414.4841
audrey.christiansen@bmc.org

Pediatrics - Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Contact Us

Specialty Clinics

Baby Steps

Child Witness to Violence Project

Good Grief Program

Pediatrics - Comprehensive Care Program (CCP)

The Grow Clinic for Children

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Collaborative

Programs and Services

SPARK Center

Autism Program

Conditions We Treat

Our Team

Developmental and Behavioral Clinicians

Current Fellows

Referral Team

Grow Clinic

Child Protection

Autism Program

Comprehensive Care Program

Child Witness to Violence

Good Grief

Patient Resources

Model of Care (Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics)

Breathing Exercises for Pre-K to Middle School Children

Provider Resources

Referrals to Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at BMC

Model of Care (Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics)

Supporting Patients While Waiting for Evaluation - Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Additional Information

Research Overview

Residency and Fellowship Information