
Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics
The Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics strives to provide excellent care for children with developmental delays/concerns, autism, ADHD, ADD, Down syndrome, other genetic syndromes associated with developmental delay, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, fussy babies, and/or behavior concerns.
A multidisciplinary team of experienced healthcare providers will care for your child before, during and after your initial visit. This team approach makes it easier for you to see different providers under one roof and often in the same visit. Each visit is centered on your child and their primary developmental pediatrician, the team that is built around your family is focused on supporting your child’s growth and development as they age. Our developmental pediatricians focus on seeing children while they are still quite young, often before they start school in order to initiate and establish a relationship to best support your child, you and your family.
Experience
Our physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, psychologists, therapists, nurses and office staff work closely together to best support your child, before, during and long after your initial visit. Many of our visits focus on a multidisciplinary approach which includes the developmental behavioral pediatrician and therapist teams that are chosen to meet the needs of your child at the time of visit. Developmental, cognitive, autism and achievement testing are all available depending on the needs of your child and may happen in one visit or over multiple visits.
The entire staff is dedicated to evaluating and treating pediatric patients starting from infancy and before they enter school through adolescence. Our team has many years of experience and a great depth of knowledge about childhood development. Our specialists include:
- Board-certified developmental behavioral pediatricians
- Board-certified neurologist
- Pediatric advanced nurse practitioners
- Social workers
- Psychologists
- Speech therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Physical therapists
- Nurses
- Dedicated office staff
Our team works closely with all other Lurie Children’s specialists as needed, including close affiliations with the Divisions of Neonatology, Neurology, Genetics, Primary Care, Psychiatry, Audiology, Ophthalmology, ENT, Epilepsy, Nutrition and Rehabilitative Services.
Approach
Many children with developmental concerns may experience challenges with cognitive, speech, or language function. Some children may struggle with sleep, behavioral and emotional issues, or other health conditions. Our team can provide evaluation, consultation, and treatment in a variety of areas.
- Medical concerns: Our clinic may provide the medical services listed below.
- Medical consultation/targeted referral for specific concerns
- Preventative medical screenings and recommendations
- Coordination with primary care providers or outpatient pediatricians
- Speech and language therapist evaluation
- Occupational therapist evaluation
- Physical therapist evaluation
- Psychologist evaluation, behavior planning and mental health support
- Social work evaluation
Every child is different and each family copes differently. The developmental and health concerns of one child can affect the entire family. Our social workers, nurses and psychologists may provide the following services:
- Mental health support
- Referral to community resources and parent groups
- Assistance with transitions and life-care planning
- Individual and family counseling upon request
- Patient-oriented group based therapies
In addition to this, we include the following outpatient family support services:
- Social skills group
- Parent support group
Conditions We Treat
- Developmental delays
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Down syndrome and other genetic syndromes associated with developmental delay
- Many syndromes such as Down syndrome, Rett syndrome, Prader–Willi syndrome, fragile X syndrome and others are associated with developmental delays. We partner with the Division of Genetics to diagnose and treat these conditions and also provide ongoing specialized care to maximize quality of life and promote success. Learn more about our Down Syndrome Clinic.
- Intellectual disability or learning disabilities
- Learning disabilities occur when a child has difficulty acquiring knowledge and skills at the same level and rate as their peers. Through cognitive testing we are able to assess for the presence of learning disabilities
- Within the division, the doctors, nurses, psychologists or social workers can help with obtaining an assessment or making recommendations for an individualized education plan.
- Fussy babies
- ADD/ADHD
- Behavior concerns
- Every child interacts with their environment differently. If you have concerns about your child displaying aggression, defiance, hyperactivity, tantrums, anger or anxiety we can help diagnose and treat the majority of non-emergent cases.
Our Specialists
Meet our Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics team.
Physicians

Larry Gray, MD
Interim Division Head

Rachel K. Follmer, MD
Attending Physician

Meghan E. O'Neill, MD
Attending Physician, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics; Attending Physician, Neurology
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, Child Neurology), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Psychologists

Jennifer K. Carlson, PhD
Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Advanced Practice Providers

Laura O'Halloran, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Additional Team Members
Medical students and residents learn about diagnosis and treatment of autism, autistic spectrum disorders, behavioral/developmental problems in young children, learning disorders, and intellectual disability in children through work with the division’s faculty.
Related News & Stories
Make an Appointment
Please call 1.800.543.7362 (1.800.KIDS DOC) to initiate all referrals into the Division of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. Once the referral has been entered, the office staff will then reach out to you to complete one of the questionnaires listed below. Appointments are scheduled after questionnaires have been completed, returned and reviewed. Prior to your appointment, we also encourage you to sign up for MyChart.
- Questionnaires for children under the age of three: English/Español
- Questionnaires for children over the age of three: English/Español
- Questionnaire for the Down Syndrome Clinic: English/Español
Our division also requests for children who have received evaluations in the past, are currently in school or have an IEP, to please send a copy for review when questionnaires are submitted.
Learn more about preparing for your appointment.
Read our scheduling and cancellation policies.
Children Enrolled in Early Intervention
If your child is currently enrolled in Early Intervention, please call 1.800.543.7362 (1.800.KIDS DOC) to initiate the referral and have your service coordinator fax us a request for a medical diagnostic visit. Appointments are scheduled for children in Early Intervention after the service coordinator has faxed the request.
Submitting Completed Paperwork & Previous Evaluations
Mail to:
Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics
225 East Chicago Avenue, Box 16
Chicago IL 60611
OR
Fax to:
312.227.9418
Our Locations
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
225 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Lurie Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center & Physician Office – Pediatrics in Uptown
4867 N. Broadway Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60640
Lurie Children's at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Pediatric Outpatient Center
25 N. Winfield Road
East Entrance
Winfield, Illinois 60190
Philanthropy
Your support is vital in helping us continue to make a difference in the lives of patients and families. Lurie Children's relies on philanthropic funding to enhance its programs, services and research for children. To learn more, please e-mail the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation at foundation@luriechildrens.org or call 312.227.7500.