Frequently asked questions about the Center for Child Development

What is the Center for Child Development?

The Center for Child Development is primarily an evaluation clinic. We serve children up to 18 years of age who have developmental concerns.

Common problems/concerns include:

• Slow to meet milestones: roll over, crawl, walk, talk, potty train
• Delayed speech or language development
• Learning problems; reading (dyslexia), writing, math
• Attention (ADHD) or memory problems
• Behavior or emotional difficulties due to development/learning problems
• Evaluation of children adopted from other countries
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Selective mutism
• Psychological and developmental concerns secondary to trauma

What does the Center for Child Development treat?

Treatment plans are very specific to each child and can include:

• Speech/language therapy
• Medication management for ADHD and anxiety
• Psychological (behavior) therapy
• Referral back to school district with new information or recommendations
• Referrals to other specialists

Your child may be able to get some of these treatments at our clinic. This will depend on openings and insurance approval. Visit our referral page for additional information.

What happens after I mail in the intake form or complete the telephone intake?

Members of our staff – including our Medical Director, a Speech and Language Pathologist, and a Psychologist – review the information during our weekly meeting. Based on the information you give us, we will decide what services are best for your child. We will then either:

• Call you to schedule an appointment or send a letter to inform you that your child is on a wait list for our clinic
• Call you to ask for more information
• Send a letter recommending other non-Center for Child Development options

This process can take up to three weeks from the time you provide your information to us. Please send copies of your child's IEP and Birth to 3 records with the intake form or signed consent for release.

Does insurance pay for my child's appointments?

Each insurance plan is different. We accept most plans but recommend you call your insurance company to check your benefits.

What should I do while I wait?

While you wait to hear from the team at the Center for Child Development, please consider the following: 

Children 0- 3 years of age
Birth to 3 Program - Early Intervention services. This is a program that evaluates and provides treatment to children who have developmental delays. Each county has its own program. If you do not know the telephone number of your local county Birth to 3 Program, call Wisconsin First Step at (800) 642-7837 or TTY (800) 282-1663. You do not need anyone to refer your child to get services.

Children 3-5 years of age
Contact your local school district for an evaluation. Schools are responsible for identifying children with disabilities living in the school district. The school evaluation will determine if your child needs special education services. A copy of that report and the documentation that supports the report must be given to the parents. School districts do not need our reports to start an evaluation or services for your child. Contact information for your local district.

Children 5 and up (in public, private, or homeschooling)
Contact your child's school and tell them your concerns. Ask about classroom interventions that your child can join. The school may place your child in interventions and/or do its own testing. The school's testing will determine the services your child will get at school. The school does not need a report from our providers to start this process.

Attend a waitlist workshop
The Center for Child Development offers waitlist workshops to all families on one of our waitlists. The workshop will provide information on the testing process and what to expect during your visits to the Center for Child Development. It also provides families with recommendations regarding services to seek out, while waiting for your child's assessment.

Consider enrolling your child in therapy
If your child is struggling with managing feelings of anxiety, sadness, anger, low self-esteem or is displaying challenging behaviors at home or school, or heightened emotionality they do not need to wait for our evaluation before starting therapy services. Therapy services can often help your child start to develop strategies to manage these big feelings.

 What are some of the primary concerns that the center does not assess or treat?

• Sleep disturbances
• Nutritional concerns/feeding difficulties
• Autism-specific therapy (ABA)
• Care for severe and pervasive mental disorders
• Psychiatry
• SSI evaluations
• Constipation
• Genetic counseling
• Neonatal follow-up before age 3 for babies who have been in the NICU