Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (PD)

Developmental-behavioral pediatrics is the pediatric subspecialty that focuses on: 

• the complex developmental processes of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults in the context of their families and communities;
• understanding the biological, psychological, and social influences on development in emotional, social, motor, language, and cognitive domains; and
• identification and treatment of disorders of behavior and development throughout childhood and adolescence (1).

Developmental-behavioral pediatricians have a range of a career options within academics/research, education, and clinical practice. Often in multidisciplinary settings involving close collaboration with other professional disciplines, they evaluate, treat and manage infants, children, and adolescents with a wide range of developmental and behavioral concerns and conditions, as well as physical complaints that are best addressed via a biobehavioral approach. They also evaluate and monitor progress in children at risk for developmental and behavioral disorders based on the biological and social factors. They research the causes and treatments of these conditions and strive to promote an understanding of the social, educational, and cultural influences on children (2).

Sources

1. Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) 
2. Council of Pediatric Subspecialties