Highly trained clinicians at Riley Children’s Health care for infants and children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, including those who may have co-occurring emotional or behavioral concerns. Our specialists conduct comprehensive neurodevelopmental evaluations to make accurate diagnoses and develop personalized treatment plans to ensure each child receives the care they need. We work in teams comprised of board certified physicians, psychologists, pediatric nurse practitioners, speech pathologists, dietitians, genetic counselors, social workers and other professionals. DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE
The latest Down syndrome healthcare guidelines were written by Riley developmental medicine physicians in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Health outcomes research Funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Person-centered diagnostics and prediction for child dysregulatory pathology using novel phenotypes ■ Large multisite study focused on using machine learning and novel clinical measures to improve prediction, diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions in children and teens. Family-centered research Funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Future planning and well-being for individuals with intellectual disabilities and family caregivers ■ Multisite study focused on long-term care planning for people with developmental disabilities and their caregivers. Funded by the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute Co-development of culturally grounded family neurodevelopmental education materials ■ Community partnership study to support Burmese and Haitian Creole caregivers of children with developmental disabilities.
Specialized programs
Advanced technologies Riley Children’s offers the
TOP DISTINCTIONS
Virtual Autism Assessments We provide two-hour virtual autism assessments—a research-based method for evaluating young children for autism from the comfort of their own homes.
Leadership in training and education ■ IU School of Medicine Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship Program ■ Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) ■ IU School of Medicine Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Residency Program latest genetic testing, including exome and genome sequencing. We have genetic counselors embedded within our division and collaborate with Riley Medical & Molecular Genetics .
■ Six physicians board certified in neurodevelopmental disabilities; one physician board certified in developmental-behavioral pediatrics ■ Home to the only psychologist in Indiana trained in the Early Start Denver Model behavioral intervention program for children with autism ■ Three psychologists certified in perinatal mental health; five psychologists trained in parent- child interaction therapy ■ Home to one of only eight six-year neurodevelopmental disabilities residency training programs worldwide
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
Our psychologists provide PCIT to empower parents through coaching as they interact with their children using PRIDE (Praise, Reflection, Imitation, Description and Enjoyment) skills.
Developmental Medicine has a registry and database that support a robust research program focused on improving care and increasing understanding of the patients we care for at Riley Children’s. More than 1,800 patients are currently enrolled.
Our Neurodevelopmental Phenotyping Program partners with translational scientists across the state and nation to support innovative clinical trials. These include projects related to opioid use disorder in pregnancy, natural history in homocystinuria, pediatric ECMO outcomes and impact of chronic hypertension in pregnancy.
CO-DIVISION CHIEF Celanie K. Christensen, MD, MS, FAAP Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Neurology, IU School of Medicine > Connect with Dr. Christensen on Doximity.
Complex Care Inpatient Service Multidisciplinary team
manages inpatient care for children with cerebral palsy, myelomeningocele, feeding problems, Down syndrome and other chronic conditions. Spina Bifida Program Our multidisciplinary program now offers care coordination services to help families navigate the complexities of the healthcare system and ensure patients are meeting their goals.
Developmental Medicine Outpatient Visits: 2023 – 2025
NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS Clinical Pediatrics: June 2026
Pediatric residents’ knowledge and confidence in autism diagnosis: Impact of an asynchronous training module embedded within a developmental-behavioral pediatrics rotation Frontiers in Psychiatry: July 2026 Autism service barriers for Latine children and their families: A participatory approach to adapting autism diagnostic care Child Welfare: November 2025 Statewide placement disproportionality and outcome disparity for black children in foster care BMJ Case Reports: January 2026 Whole exome sequencing facilitates early neurodevelopmental diagnosis in an outpatient clinic
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CO-DIVISION CHIEF Rebecca H. McNally Keehn, PhD, HSPP Associate Professor of Pediatrics, IU School of Medicine > Connect with Dr. McNally Keehn on Doximity.
17 board certified physicians (plus 14 licensed psychologists)
See full team member list >
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