Michael Msall, MD giving a patient and her mother a Remoc plush toy

Sections & Programs

Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics

The Section of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics strives to become a Center of Excellence in developmental diagnosis, biomedical management and family support for children with motor, communicative, sensory, developmental, genetic, neurological, learning and behavior disorders.

 

John Cunningham, MD

John Cunningham, MD - Professor of Pediatrics

Interim Section Chief, Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics

Our section provides care to children from a wide geographic region. Patients are seen at Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago and The Erikson Institute Center for Healthy Families, Advocate Illinois Masonic Pediatric Development Center and Advocate Children's Hospital Park Ridge and Easter Seals of Dupage and Fox Valley.

The service includes four board certified Developmental and Behavioral Pediatricians, pediatric developmental and behavioral fellows, a registered nurse, social worker, and research coordinator.  The section has expertise in developmental diagnosis, biomedical management and family support for children with motor, communicative, sensory, developmental, genetic, neurological, learning and behavior disorders. 

  • We serve children with autistic spectrum, developmental delays, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, and genetic disability. Priority is for children < 8 years, children who have received NICU, PICU, Cardiac, Oncology, Genetic, Neurological or Surgical Interventions.
  • We serve children with a spectrum of learning, behavior, communicative, perceptual, and social skill disorders.
  • We serve children, adolescents and families who have been exposed to violence through programs of trauma informed care.
  • Developmental Delays specifically in:
    • Speech-language delays
    • Motor delays
    • Cognition delays
    • Other sensory and adaptive delays 
  • Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with/without hyperactivity
  • Behavioral issues such as:
    • Attention difficulties
    • Hyperactivity
    • Difficulty socializing
  • Learning disabilities
  • Down syndrome and genetic disorders impact on development
  • Cerebral palsy 
  • Intellectual disability   
  • Complex, multiple disabilities
  • Healing hurt people Chicago for children with violent injury

About Our Section

Special Services

For children ages birth to age 3 with motor, communicative, developmental or socio-emotional delays.

For infants and toddlers ages birth to age 2 with colic, sleep difficulties and regulatory challenges in collaboration with the Erikson Institute.

The University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital will provide screening and mental health care for hundreds of children and families that have been affected by violence in many of Chicago's South and West side neighborhoods. This effort is supported by a new $2 million, five-year federal grant from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The section offers an array of services to children, youth, and families affected by community violence.

Bradley Stolbach, PhD

Bradley Stolbach, PhD - Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Clinical Director, Healing Hurt People

— Learn more about Healing Hurt People Chicago