### Supporting Patients While Waiting for Evaluation - Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

- [ Helpful Links](#helpful-links)
 
  **English -** [**Resource for Families Referred to DBP**](https://www.bmc.org/sites/default/files/2025-06/English_Resource%20for%20Families%20Referred%20to%20BMC.pdf) **(.pdf)**  
**Spanish -** [**Resource for Families Referred to DBP**](https://www.bmc.org/sites/default/files/2025-06/BMC-Resource-for-Families-Referred-to-DBP-Spanish.pdf) **(.pdf)**  
**Haitian Creole -** [**Resources for Families Referred to BMC DBP**](https://www.bmc.org/sites/default/files/2025-06/Haitian%20Creole%20-%20Resource%20for%20Families%20Referred%20to%20DBP.pdf) **(.pdf)**

Due to high referral rates, whilst patients are waiting for an evaluation we recommend you support them with the following:

**If your patient is under age of the 3**: Refer to their local Early Intervention (EI) agency if they are not currently enrolled in EI: <https://www.massfamilyties.org/#EI>

**If your patient is 3 years or older and not yet enrolled in school**: Assist the family with requesting a special education evaluation through their public school system. Having a child evaluated by their school system is an imperative and time-sensitive step. The following link will provide you with useful information for requesting a special education evaluation that can be used to advocate for your patient and provided to parents/caregivers.

[Massachusetts Referral, Evaluation, and Eligibility Determination Guide](https://www.doe.mass.edu/rlo/sped/eligibility-guide/index.html#/)

The following link is for Boston schools but is applicable to other school districts: [All Boston (and you!) Can Do For Your Child (ABCD) - English](https://www.bmc.org/files/Programs___Services/Programs_for_Children/ABCDpacket_2019.pdf)

This packet is also available in Spanish, Haitian Creole and Portuguese  
[All Boston (and you!) Can Do For Your Child (ABCD) - Spanish](https://www.bmc.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/ABCD%20Packet_Spanish.pdf)  
[All Boston (and you!) Can Do For Your Child (ABCD) - Haitian Creole](https://www.bmc.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/ABCD%20Packet_Haitian%20Creole.pdf)  
[All Boston (and you!) Can Do For Your Child (ABCD) - Portuguese](https://www.bmc.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/ABCD%20Packet_Portuguese_0.pdf)

**If your patient is 3 years or older and already enrolled in school**: ensure they have received a special education evaluation and are receiving all services that they are deemed eligible for through an IEP or a 504 plan.

**If your patient is in need of behavioral health/therapy services**: we recommend making a referral to psychiatry and ensuring your patient receives appropriate behavioral health supports. If your patient has MassHealth, and would benefit from in-home or outpatient therapy services, please make a referral by using the following search engines:



 ### Helpful Links

 [#### In-home therapy

 

 ](https://www.mabhaccess.com/Search.aspx)

 

 [#### Outpatient therapy

 

 ](https://massachusetts.networkofcare.org/mh/index.aspx)

 

 [#### Community behavioral health centers

 

 ](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/community-behavioral-health-centers)

 

 [#### Immediate in-home response

 

 ](https://www.mass.gov/emergencycrisis-services)