Clinical Rotations

Continuity Clinic

University of California, San Diego

The University of California San Diego DBP experience is the core of the fellow's clinical training. A major component is the Developmental-Behavioral Pediatric Consultation (DBPC) clinic. The DBPC clinic receives requests for consultation from primary care physicians, pediatric subspecialists, developmental service providers, mental health professionals, school professionals, and families. A wide range of developmental and behavioral conditions, including autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, anxiety and mood disorders, feeding problems, elimination disorders, sleep disorders, and developmental delays are assessed in patients from infancy to young adulthood. The DBP fellows are involved in teaching medical students, pediatric residents, and child and adolescent psychiatry fellows

Kaiser Permanente

The John Richards Learning Center at Kaiser Medical Center in San Diego is a high-volume multidisciplinary clinic for evaluation of children with ADHD and school problems, including learning difficulties and behavioral issues impacting school performance. Center staff include a nurse case manager, speech/language pathologist, occupational therapist, and psychologist. The DBP fellow has the opportunity to provide care within a health maintenance organization through this weekly full-day longitudinal experience in their first year of training.

The Balboa Naval Medical Center

The Balboa Naval Medical Center's Developmental-Behavioral Pediatric Clinical Program provides multidisciplinary care for children from Naval families west of the Mississippi. DBP fellows gain experience in evaluating children with autism and other developmental disabilities within the naval health care system. The DBP fellow participates in a weekly full-day longitudinal experience at the Balboa Naval Medical Center in their first year of training.

Block Rotations

Community Resources

During the first month of training, the DBP fellow is immersed in community resources in San Diego. The DBP fellow spends time with a variety of sites, some clinical and some observational.

Developmental Services Block Rotation

The Developmental Services Department of Rady Children's Hospital offers a multitude of programs that identify, evaluate, and treat children with developmental delays, disabilities and injuries. The Developmental Services staff includes developmental psychologists, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, behavioral therapists, and audiologists. The DBP fellow participates in a block rotation with Developmental Services during their first year of training. Fellows gain the knowledge needed to effectively incorporate these services into their patients' care plans.

Neurology Block Rotation

In their first year of training, fellows attend Neurology clinic at Rady Children's Hospital, where patients present with a variety of neurological and developmental conditions including motor disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, movement disorders, seizure disorders, tic disorders, developmental delays, and traumatic brain injury. Fellows gain experience with complex neurological disorders and diagnostic techniques employed in evaluating these conditions.

Dysmorphology/Genetics Block Rotation

The Dysmorphology Service provides diagnostic services, genetic and teratogen counseling, and long-term follow-up for children with birth defects. Consultation is provided in the outpatient Dysmorphology Clinic and the inpatient Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Newborn Nursery. DBP fellows join the Dysmorphology Service for a block rotation during their first year of training. Fellows gain experience in obtaining comprehensive histories, performing physical examinations, and making preliminary assessments in patients with congenital abnormalities and possible or confirmed genetic conditions.

Other Clinical Experiences

Down Syndrome Clinic

The multidisciplinary Down Syndrome Center aims to improve the quality of life for children with Down Syndrome and their families by offering coordinated assessments, connections to resources, education and advocacy. The DBP fellow follows a patient through their appointment with guidance from the multidisciplinary team. Afterwards, the fellow presents the case during the patient review meeting.

San Diego Regional Center

The San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) serves as a focal point in the community for patients with developmental disabilities. Patients and their families can obtain services and be linked to other community resources within San Diego and Imperial counties. The DBP fellow will work with the Developmental-Behavioral pediatrician during developmental evaluations, and will learn about the programs and services available through SDRC.

San Ysidro Health Center

The San Ysidro Health Center (SYHC) is a non-profit organization which aims to improve the health and well-being of the community's traditionally underserved and culturally diverse population with affordable health care services, including, evidence-based behavioral health services to children. The DBP fellow will work with Dr. Tasha Taylor at the Maternal & Child Health Center during new patient developmental evaluations. The DBP Fellow will also spend time with return patients during their follow-up visits.

High Risk Infant Follow-Up Clinic

High Risk Infant Follow-Up Clinic provides special examinations for babies discharged from the NICU to supplement the routine pediatric care. The DBP fellow will observe the standardized developmental tests used to evaluate a child's development. The Fellow will observe the child's motor skills through interaction and play-based activities with toys. The Fellow will also observe the child's mental skills, language development, and examine the child's muscle strength and reflexes.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Services (CAPS) program is an inpatient unit for children and adolescents up to age 18 with psychiatric illness such as depression, psychosis, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse. The DBP fellow participates in a monthly DBP/CAPS case conference. At this conference, interesting and/or difficult cases with overlapping diagnosis or treatment options are presented and discussed between the two specialties.

University of San Diego Education and Disability Law Clinic

The University of San Diego (USD) Disability and Education Clinic is a volunteer project where the USD law students provide free legal services (under the supervision of a practicing attorney) to San Diego residents in need. The DBP fellow receives practical training and experience in client intake, interviewing and counseling. They will participate in weekly group meetings that are combined with individual case conferences to provide training in case management.

KidSTART

KidSTART is a program for children under 6 years old with complex needs in multiple areas of daily life. Mental health and developmental specialists, including the DBP fellow, assess needs, develop collaborative treatment plans, provide unique interventions and facilitate long-term care coordination for the family.

Autism Discovery Institute

The Autism Discover Institute (ADI) provides comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services, and advanced research into autism spectrum disorders under one roof as well as programs to help families have positive experiences and interactions. The DBP fellow works with the psychologist and other specialists on evaluations and has the opportunity to take the Introductory/Clinical ADOS-2 Workshop.