Hamilton Health Sciences Home

Specialized Developmental and Behavioural Services

Specialized Developmental and Behavioural Services provides services for children and adolescents aged 2 to 18 years with developmental and intellectual difficulties.

Do you live in Hamilton-Wentworth area and have concerns about your child’s development, behaviours, sleep, toileting, or learning skills?

Do you worry that your child is acting young for his or her age?

Does your child:

  • have a limited understanding of safety,
  • is dependent on you for many of the daily activities,
  • have persistent temper tantrums, or
  • have difficulty following routines or socializing with other children?

The Specialized Developmental and Behavioural Services can help.

Care We Provide

For children 2 to 5 years old, we offer:

  • developmental and behavioural assessments
  • speech and language supports and consultation
  • parenting supports, consultation, and workshops
  • behaviour therapy and consultation, and
  • information about other services and resources

For children and adolescents who are 6 years or older, we offer:

  • developmental and behavioural assessments
  • parent consultation
  • individual counseling with children and adolescents
  • behaviour therapy and consultation,
  • child and adolescent groups for social skills
  • information about other services and resources

Family-Centered Care

At McMaster Children’s Hospital, the care we provide reflects what matters most to our patients and families. Based on what patients and families have told us, we will:

Communicate

  • Get to know you and your family and treat you with dignity and respect
  • Work together as a competent team
  • Communicate with each other and your family about your child’s care
  • Give you prompt feedback on your child’s progress

Collaborate

  • Ensure you understand the health concerns about your child
  • Partner with you in decisions about your child’s care
  • Help you learn skills to take part in your child’s care
  • Plan the next steps in your child’s care together

Respond

  • Respond promptly when you or your family need help
  • Include persons who are important to you in your child’s care
  • Provide a convenient, accessible, child-friendly, welcoming environment
  • Seek and respond to your family’s comments about our care