Developmental Pediatrician in Colorado Springs, Colorado

A developmental pediatrician brings together what would otherwise sit across several specialty visits. Trained as a pediatrician with additional fellowship in developmental-behavioral pediatrics, they evaluate and manage conditions like autism, ADHD, learning differences, intellectual disability, motor delays, and complex developmental presentations in a single integrated practice.

A typical evaluation pulls together developmental history, structured observation, medical workup, parent interviews, and (when relevant) collaboration with the providers already in your child's life. The result is a more layered understanding than any one specialist alone usually produces — and a clearer roadmap for next steps.

They're a complement to, not a replacement for, your child's general pediatrician (primary care) and any psychologists or psychiatrists involved (mental health). Many children see all three at different times for different reasons.

When a developmental pediatrician is the right call: complex or unclear developmental presentations; concerns that span medical and behavioral domains; medication questions for a developmental or behavioral condition; or a second opinion. For more straightforward situations, a psychologist or your pediatrician's referral may be enough.

One reality to know going in: developmental pediatricians are scarce nationally, and Colorado is no exception. Get on a waitlist early.

Colorado Springs has growing pediatric specialty capacity, with developmental-behavioral specialists practicing through Children's Hospital Colorado's Colorado Springs campus, UCHealth pediatric specialty services, and a few private practices. For specific complex cases or particular subspecialty needs, many Colorado Springs families also use Children's Hospital Colorado's main Anschutz campus and JFK Partners (the University of Colorado's autism and neurodevelopmental disabilities center) in Denver, about an hour north. Waitlists at the most-requested practices can be long.

Ask your child's primary pediatrician for a referral, and check your insurance plan's specialist directory for in-network providers. Children's Hospital Colorado, UCHealth, and other hospital systems can identify developmental-behavioral specialists on their pediatric subspecialty teams. Many families call both local and Denver-based practices to maximize options.

If you know of a Colorado Springs-area developmental pediatrician we should feature, please tell us.