The WVU Medicine Children’s Neurodevelopmental Center includes multiple types of service providers and programs. We offer Child Development services, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy, Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT), and Speech Therapy. Our services are offered in an outpatient model at our easy-to-access, standalone location.
Some children will benefit from receiving many services in our collaborative environment, while others may only require a single service. More details about these individual programs are included below.
As part of the Children’s Neuroscience Center, our providers work together across multiple disciplines toward a shared vision of building healthier futures for children.
Diagnoses We Treat
WVU Medicine Children’s Neurodevelopmental Center treats patients with a variety of needs and conditions, as well as the complex issues that accompany those conditions, including but not limited to:
- Acquired brain injury
- Amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome
- Apraxia
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Brachial plexus injury
- Cancer
- Cerebral palsy
- Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
- Cleft lip and cleft palate
- Developmental delay
- Down syndrome
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- Epilepsy
- Failure to thrive
- Feeding and swallowing difficulties
- Genetic disorders
- Idiopathic toe walking
- Impaired tone
- Low vision
- Metabolic conditions
- Muscular dystrophy
- Neonatal abstinence syndrome
- Orthopedic conditions
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Post-surgical
- Sensory processing disorder
- Spina bifida
- Spinal cord injury
- Stuttering
- Torticollis
- Vocal cord dysfunction
- Voice disorders
Treatments and Services
We provide each child with comprehensive evaluation and follow-up care while coordinating their treatment with a variety of WVU Medicine neurodevelopmental experts. Our therapy services for children and their families include:
- Applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy (see below)
- Assistive technology training
- Family resource counseling
- Occupational therapy (see below)
- Physical therapy (see below)
- Speech language therapy (see below)
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy is a gold-standard treatment for children on the autism spectrum. ABA Therapy at the Neurodevelopmental Center is provided in two models:
- Early learner program
- Intensive program
NOTE: Children must have a diagnosis of autism to be eligible for either of these services.
In each program, you and your child would work with a team consisting of a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and multiple Behavior Technicians. Treatment plans are developed for each patient and are customized specifically to that child’s needs. ABA works on increasing important skills and reducing inappropriate behaviors. For many children with autism, support is needed in areas such as: communication, social skills, learning readiness, focus, and daily living skills.
Early Learner Program
Our early learner clinic works with children who are 2-3 years old and their families. Children come into our clinic twice a week for two hours at a time. Their caregiver(s) participate in training with our Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) to learn more about how to help their child learn and grow in these crucial early years. Placements in this program last for six months at a time.
Intensive Program
Some children will benefit from a more intensive treatment model with additional support. The intensive ABA program at the Neurodevelopmental Center provides this higher level of support. Children come to the clinic between two and five days each week, for six hours at a time. This additional time allows us to practice a wide variety of crucial skills and support each child in their development. Children in this program often range from 3-5 years old on intake and remain in our program for 1-2 years.
If your child has received a referral for ABA Therapy, please contact our Neurodevelopmental Center about joining our waitlist. When an opening in the appropriate program becomes available, you will be contacted to schedule an initial evaluation with a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. This evaluation will determine whether one of our programs is a good fit for you and your child. Space in each program is limited, so acting quickly after receiving a diagnosis and referral is important.
Physical Therapy
Pediatric physical therapists in our Neurodevelopemtal Center evaluate and assess gross motor development in order to target specific skills that enable the child to efficiently navigate their environment.
As physical therapists, we incorporate play activities to challenge the child’s physical abilities and improve each child’s level of participation to enhance engagement with their friends and family. We work on balance, posture, coordination, gait, developmental milestones, and other gross motor skills. We seek to optimize physical function and participation at home, school, and in the community.
Neurodevelopmental Center physical therapists treat individuals from birth through 18 years and have experience with various disorders including neurodevelopmental, neuromuscular, genetic, and orthopedic conditions.
Services We Offer:
- Torticollis
- Strengthening
- Stationary and dynamic balance
- Coordination
- Toe walking
- Range of motion
- Gait assessment
- Bracing recommendations
- Motor planning
- Return to sport
- DME evaluations
- Taping
Occupational Therapy
Pediatric occupational therapy focuses on assessing and developing the necessary skills children need to participate in everyday activities and routines. We address the physical, sensory, cognitive, and social-emotional challenges that may hinder a child’s ability to play, learn, and engage with their environment. Our goal is to work with these children and their families in order to enhance their overall well-being and independence in all areas of life.
Services We Offer:
- Sensory integration
- Fine motor/gross motor skill development
- Activities of daily living/self-care training
- Bilateral integration
- Motor planning
- Adaptive equipment training
- Reflex integration
- Visual motor integration/visual perceptual development
- Self-regulation and social-emotional skill development
Programs We Offer:
- Feeding therapy and lactation
- Therapeutic listening
- Kinesiology taping
- “Handwriting Without Tears”
Speech Therapy
A pediatric speech-language pathologist helps children communicate effectively by diagnosing, assessing, and treating a range of verbal and non-verbal communication and language skills. Additionally, they assess and treat feeding and swallowing concerns to facilitate safe eating and swallowing. Therapists provide individualized assessments to determine appropriate treatment plans and goals while collaborating with families to address areas of concern.
Our goal is to work with children and families to facilitate functional communication skills, safe feeding and swallowing, and to improve a child’s independence and self-esteem.
Services We Offer:
- Expressive and receptive language skills
- Articulation and oral motor skills
- Augmentative and alternative communication
- Social communication/pragmatics
- Voice and resonance disorders
- Fluency disorders
- Feeding and swallowing difficulties
