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Interdisciplinary Diagnostic Units
Infant and Toddler Team
Infant and Preschool Unit
School Age Unit
Adolescent Unit
Pediatric Rehabilitation Unit
Communications Disorders and Children's Hearing Program
Developmental and Family Services
Infant and Toddler Team
The Infant and Toddler Team provides a family-based diagnostic assessment of very young children from birth to 3 years of age who have or are suspected of having developmental delays. Approximately 275 children are referred to this unit each year by pediatricians, medical specialists, parents, educators, a variety of allied health professionals, and the New York City Early Intervention Program. Evaluation begins with a diagnostic screening to elicit the family’s concerns and identify the problem. It ends with the development of a therapeutic plan tailored to meet the child's needs. Referral is offered for early intervention therapeutic services either on-site by CERC's Baby Team and Miniteam (described in the Specialized Service Programs section of this brochure) or to infant and preschool programs in the community. Follow-up services are offered to all families. As an official New York State and New York City Early Intervention Evaluation Site, CERC can complete an evaluation on all eligible children in this age range free of charge to the family.
Infant and Preschool Unit
This multi-disciplinary unit provides diagnostic assessments of children aged 2 years 9 months to 6 years who have questionable or delayed development. Each referred child receives an individually planned evaluation designed to assess his or her intellectual and emotional functioning, clarify the medical and/or environmental causes of any identified disabilities, and determine the child's and family's strengths in coping with these deficits. Assessment of parents’ need for support and child’s need for intervention is also provided. Appropriate therapeutic interventions and family supports are arranged for either at CERC, or in the community through referrals.
School Age Unit
This unit provides diagnostic services to school-age children, ages 6-14, with learning difficulties, language delays, hyperactivity and associated behavioral and/or social adjustment problems. Case management and treatment services are offered to provide for continued intervention and family support. Services available include psychoeducational treatment, speech and language therapy, social skills groups, parent and sibling groups, and medication management. When necessary, referrals are made to community treatment centers, as well as public and private schools.
Adolescent Unit
This unit provides diagnostic and mental health treatment services to adolescents and young adults ages 12 to 21 who have experienced chronic school failure, due, at least in part, to biologically-based difficulties. Included in this category are adolescents with learning disabilities, limited intelligence and/or attention problems. The specific nature of the adolescent's difficulties and the role they play in his or her psychological adjustment are identified. Treatment usually includes individual or group psychotherapy, family counseling, psychoeducational intervention, speech and language services, and suggestions that enable the adolescent to better cope with his or her environment. Consultation is provided to public school programs and the Montefiore Medical Center’s School Health Project for youngsters experiencing chronic school failure.
Pediatric Rehabilitation Unit
Individuals from birth to 21 years of age with developmental and physical disabilities, usually related either to congenital or acquired neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders, or to temporary problems of physical function, are evaluated and treated by this unit. To enable the client to be more self-sufficient, the Rehabilitation Unit’s multidisciplinary team designs a comprehensive treatment plan which includes, as clinically indicated, prescribed braces, adaptive equipment, seating, transportation devices for use at home and in school,and an array of interventions including: physical, occupational, and speech therapy; augmentive communication; feeding therapies; individual and group psychotherapy; and psychosocial services. The Rehabilitation Unit also provides consultative services to all other CERC units.
Communications Disorders and Children's Hearing Program
This unit offers an interdisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and remediation of hearing impairment and other forms of communication disorders for individuals from birth to 21 years of age. This comprehensive program offers early identification and diagnosis, newborn and infant auditory screening, otolaryngologic and developmental pediatric examinations, behavioral audiometry, central auditory processing function tests, speech-language evaluation, and psychological/educational assessment. The program stresses that no child is too young for a complete auditory assessment. Medical and surgical management of ear, nose, and throat disorders are prescribed when indicated. Remediations within the Children’s Hearing Intervention Program (CHIP) include: auditory training of infants and children; amplification strategies, recommendations and follow-up; speech and language therapy; and educational recommendations. Additional information on this service can be found under Specialized Service Programs in a later section of this brochure.
Developmental and Family Services
This unit provides developmental and psychosocial services for individuals from birth to 21 years of age affected by or infected with HIV, and their families. It helps coordinate services with other programs caring for these children or families. The unit’s staff meets weekly to formulate an Individual Family Service Plan for each child and family, and a case manager is designated. Careful consideration is given to the cultural, language, economic and psychosocial needs of the family. The plan may include recommendations for psychosocial and/or rehabilitation services at CERC and for educational services based in the community. This unit conducts psychotherapy and support groups for families and children, individual psychotherapy, and psychoeducational treatment services for school-aged children. Academic assessment, educational and vocational planning, and mental health services is also offered to infected adolescents and their affected siblings. The unit is a key component of the federal Ryan White Title IV funded Bronx Pediatric and Adolescent AIDS Consortium (BPAAC).