ADHD
Through this service we provide a diagnosis and clarify issues. We can provide recommendations and information on ADHD and treatment options. Our specialty is working with young children, adolescents, and young adults. We can provide you with links to local service providers and support groups.
Augmentative Communication
This is a resource for children and adults with concerns about their communication skills. Their families and local school and care staff can participate as well. Our goal is to help people communicate better, whether they are at home, in school, or at work.
Autism Spectrum Disorders
We see children on all spectrums of the disorder to Asperger’s. We provide a diagnosis and our recommendations. We can provide more information about autism and give you information on treatment options. Our specialty is early detection and intervention. We give you links to service providers in your community and to local support groups.
UI Children's Hospital's Autism Center is comprised of a partnership between the University of Iowa's Center for Disabilities and Development, Department of Psychiatry, and Department of Pediatrics, and works to provide the best possible care for those with autism.
Behavior Disorders
We work with children and adults who have disabilities and significant behavior disorders. We use a team approach to change such behaviors. The team includes the individual, the family, school and agency staff, and CDD staff. First, we do a functional analysis to look for the reasons behind a behavior. Then we develop strategies for changing the problem behavior. We suggest ways to use these strategies at home, in school, and in the community. Through this clinic we also offer a Day Treatment Service. This offers an intensive treatment program for patients with severe behavior such as self-injury, aggression, property destruction, noncompliance, and tantrums. We continue to follow up with these patients and adjust their program through our outpatient clinic.
Bowel and Bladder Management
This is a resource for all children and adults with disabilities. We work closely with the UIHC departments of Urology and Gastroenterology. People with toileting readiness and toilet training concerns use our services. We also treat conditions like encopresis, enuresis, and constipation. Care begins with a medical exam. We then work with the person and the family to address bowel and bladder concerns. After the first visit, we provide follow-up care, and we will also interact with the person's local care providers, including school nurses. We can coordinate future appointments at CDD and UI Hospitals and Clinics as well.
Brain Injury
We work with children who have a brain injury, and with their families. We carry out evaluations, offer recommendations, and work closely with the child's family, school staff, and other local providers. We also provide long-term planning and support. We help the child and family make a successful transition back to life at home, at school, and in the community.
Cognitive Disorders
We look for memory deficits and other cognitive impairments that are often linked to brain injury, seizures, brain tumors, and other neurological disorders. We can help point out specific mental strengths and weaknesses, suggest treatment, and track any changes in answer to treatment. We can also decide disability type and help design proper educational programming.
Comprehensive Developmental Evaluation
Through this evaluation we provide a baseline assessment of a child's behavior and overall development. Depending on the child's unique needs, the evaluation may assess health, socialization, communication, education, and cognitive status.
Down Syndrome
We welcome infants, children, and adults. We work closely with families and with local care providers. We can clarify the diagnoses of people thought to have Down syndrome, and coordinate their health care. We work with them to ease the transition to new services at each stage of life. We link them with supports in their own community, and encourage community participation.
Feeding and Growth Management
This is a resource for infants, children, and adults. Our goals include promoting good nutrition and weight gain; improving swallowing and eating; and preventing constipation and diarrhea. We use a team approach in which the individual, the family, and our staff work together. The team checks for medical concerns that can cause problems. Families may learn new ways to encourage oral feeding or make mealtimes more pleasant.
Fragile X
We provide evaluation, treatment, and support for individuals with Fragile X syndrome and their families. By providing an interdisciplinary team approach to care, we work with families to improve outcomes and quality of life.
Prader-Willi
We work closely with people who have this complex syndrome, and with their families and local service providers. We provide comprehensive diagnosis, evaluation, and support. We use a team approach, which may include staff from medicine, nursing, nutrition, psychology, education, speech-language pathology, and endocrinology. We also link the family with the Child Health Specialty Clinic PWS consultant, who offers guidance on health care, behavior management, and education. Working together, the consultant and our Prader-Willi Service team provide families with ongoing care, information, and support.
Spina Bifida
Through this clinic we serve infants, children, and adults who have spinal cord disorders such as spina bifida (myelomeningocele) or spinal cord injuries.
Sleep Disorder
The child and the family work with a pediatrician to understand the child's sleep habits. Sometimes a sleep study is needed. If so, the child spends one night at CDD. Arrangements are made for a parent or guardian to sleep in the room with the child during the study. Various treatments may be recommended, such as medication or changes in the child's environment. Follow-up care may be provided through return visits.
Wheelchair and Seating
We work closely with the individual, the family, and their chosen vendor. We offer clinical assessments and write prescriptions for wheelchairs. We also recommend postural support systems. Through our Outreach program, we bring our wheelchair and seating service to you in your community, as well. Whether in our building or in your community we work closely with the individual, the family, community providers, and the familiar chosen vendor.
2013 Outreach Schedule