Professional specialties at the Center for Disabilities and Development
Mar 20, 2013
- Audiologists
- Measure hearing and can suggest hearing aids or other help for hearing disorders.
- Behavior specialists
- Study behavior disorders and plan treatment to promote desired behaviors.
- Brain injury consultants
- Provide information, testing, and assistance to people with brain injury.
- Dentists, pediatric
- Provide dental care for children.
- Education consultants
- Test learning abilities and suggest new approaches.
- Family practice physicians
- Provide medical care for people of all ages.
- Health care benefits specialist
- Helps eligible families get financial assistance through such programs as Medicaid, MediPass, waiver programs, Social Security Disability, and Supplemental Security Income.
- Nurses
- Registered nurses
- Evaluate health and provide health care, education, and care coordination.
- Family practice nurse practitioners
- Are registered nurses who have special training in health care for people of all ages.
- Pediatric nurse practitioners
- Are registered nurses who have special training in health care for children.
- Nutritionists or dietitians
- Provide information on growth and nutrition; help with food choices, special diets, and feeding concerns.
- Occupational therapists
- Assess everyday living skills such as eating and swallowing, fine motor skills (such as handwriting), and visual perception. They can often suggest ways to improve wheelchair seating and positioning.
- Patient/family representative
- Can talk with you about your visit, help you find information, and connect you with other families or support groups.
- Pediatricians
- Provide medical care for children.
- Physical therapists
- Can help improve gross motor skills (such as walking), posture, strength, and flexibility. They work to prevent deformity with stretching, braces, and positioning.
- Psychologists
- Evaluate self-concept, behavior patterns, learning, environment, social and emotional adjustment; and they may provide counseling.
- Recreation therapists
- Provide information about leisure skills and encourage recreation.
- Social workers
- Provide information about such programs as SSI, Medicaid, and waiver programs. They also coordinate care.
- Speech-language pathologists
- Evaluate speech, language, memory, and communication skills, and suggest strategies for improvement.