Developmental Pediatrics

A developmental pediatrician sees children from birth through the college years who have concerns with their neurologic development and behavior. The range of conditions that warrant such an evaluation include speech and language delay, gross motor delay, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and behavioral disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism.

A developmental pediatrics evaluation typically involves a medical history, a physical exam, and developmental testing. We then discuss the findings and suggest treatment and whether there is need for further specialty evaluations.

The initial developmental visit is planned for one hour. Depending on the findings and the complexity additional visits may be needed. For the initial visit it is very helpful to bring the results of previous evaluations and consultations. In the preschool years it is important to have information from day care providers or preschool teachers. At school age it is usually important to get input from teachers.

When there is concern for ADHD it is helpful to have both a parent and a teacher Vanderbilt questionnaire at the initial visit. These questionnaires are available on the patient forms page of this website. The Developmental Questionnaire, available on the patient forms page of this website, can be filled out before the visit and has much of the information that is most helpful for the history.

Patient Forms Page

Meet Our Neurodevelopmental Pediatrician

Dr. Lowry Shropshire is the developmental pediatrician at Pediatric Associates of Alexandra. To learn more about Dr. Shropshire, click his photo below.

Lowry Shropshire, MD