NICU-Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program: Child & Adolescent Clinic

The NCNP works with families to: 

• Offer developmental assessment of infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers to maximize school readiness 
• Identify school difficulties, such as problems with reading, writing, and math 
• Address speech and language difficulties experienced by infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers, and school-age children 
• Detect feeding or nutritional problems
• Attend to attention, behavioral, and emotional problems 
• Provide intervention for difficulties with social relationships with peers and family members
• Recognize challenges with task management and organization 
• Diagnose delayed fine and gross motor skills ​

Distinguishing between normal and abnormal development in children can be a difficult task. Identifying potential problems as early as possible allows children to gain access to beneficial supports while they are young, and builds a solid foundation for later learning and future success.

Our multidisciplinary team of experts will assess and identify your child’s developmental assets and vulnerabilities. Some challenges may not emerge until later in childhood or adolescence. Our providers will work with you and your child to perform periodic assessments at key points in their development. At each NCNP evaluation, our staff will partner with you to develop an appropriate plan of support. The NCNP is committed to partnering with families to help children reach their full potential by optimizing their experiences inside and outside of school.

The care providers in the NCNP look forward to partnering with families to help children reach their fullest potential. Our partnership will involve a process that includes the following steps:

Step 1: The Initial Neurodevelopmental Clinic Visit

This screening visit will include: 1) the completion of several questionnaires by you and your child; 2) appointments with our specialists to assess your child for any developmental concerns that need further evaluation.

​Step 2: Follow-up Consultations

Our program coordinator will work with you to set up the testing and follow-up appointments that were recommended during your initial visit.

​Step 3: Case Conference   

After your child’s recommended follow-up consultations have been completed, the results of these evaluations will be discussed at our monthly case conference meeting with our entire clinic team. Once this conference has taken place, you will receive a phone call from one of our providers to discuss results and an updated plan. You will also receive a letter summarizing this information.

Step 4: Support in School   

If your child is currently in school or preparing to enter school, our education liaison will partner with you to share the results of the comprehensive evaluation with your child’s school. Sharing this information will help to access the educational support that your child needs. The education liaison is available to support school-aged children and travel up to 90 miles away from the hospital. If you live beyond that distance, school support may be provided through teleconference.

Step 5: Long-term follow-up   

As your child grows and develops, the NICU-Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program will provide continuous monitoring and offer age-appropriate support, follow-up screening, reevaluation, and assist with recommended treatments.

Your insurance plan may cover the services provided during the visit. Since you will be seeing multiple clinicians at one time, you may have several co-pays for the NCNP. 

Please visit luriechildrens.org/insurance for insurances in our network, or call Lurie Children’s business office at 312.227.1230 for information on insurance plans. 

Many follow-up services (such as physical therapy or occupational therapy) can be provided at one of Lurie Children's outpatient centers around metropolitan Chicago.