UnityPoint Health - Blank Children's Developmental Center
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Developmental Center
At Blank Children’s, we offer a Developmental Center that provides comprehensive assessments, multispecialty evaluations and ongoing management for children from birth through 10 years of age. Our goal is to support families as their children navigate social, behavioral and cognitive concerns.
Multidisciplinary Team
Your child is supported by a collaborative team of experts. We work together across specialties to provide a comprehensive medical home that meet your child's needs. Our medical team oversees diagnostic evaluations, medical management and overall health coordination. Possible providers your child might see include:
- Developmental-Behavioral Physicians: Board-certified experts specializing in evaluating and managing developmental and behavioral challenges.
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNP): Highly specialized providers who coordinate care, monitor growth and manage complex medical needs.
- Clinical Nurses: Your primary point of contact for medical questions, triage and family education.
- Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP): Experts in communication, language development and the oral motor skills required for feeding.
- Physical Therapists (PT): Specialists in motor development, strength and the physical endurance needed for milestones.
- Registered Dietitian: A specialist in neonatal nutrition to ensure optimal caloric intake for growth.
- Social Workers: Dedicated to helping families navigate school resources, insurance and community support systems.
Developmental & Behavioral
Autism, ADHD, Anxiety, Sleep & Behavior
Ages 0–10
Developmental and Behavioral Specialty Care
Whether you are seeking an initial evaluation for your child or specialized management for occurring challenges, our team is here to help. We evaluate children with concerns for:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Diagnostic evaluations for social communication and behavioral patterns.
- Global Developmental Delay: Delays in reaching multiple milestones.
For children already diagnosed with autism, intellectual disability/global developmental delay or a genetic condition, we provide expert management for:
- Severe behaviors: Strategies and support for significant behavioral challenges.
- Sleep challenges: Specialized guidance for persistent sleep difficulties.
- ADHD concerns: Evaluation and management of attention and hyperactivity.
- Anxiety concerns: Support for children experiencing clinical anxiety.
Your Path to Care: What to Expect
Navigating a new clinical referral can feel overwhelming. Our goal is to provide clear communication from the moment your provider sends us your information.
- Expert Referral Triage: Once we receive a referral from your primary care provider or specialist, it is carefully reviewed by a clinician. This triage ensures your child is matched with the right specialists and that we prioritize the most appropriate type of evaluation.
- Referral Acceptance: After our clinical team accepts the referral, your child’s file is moved to our scheduling department. We look at our upcoming availability to ensure we can offer you the best possible time for your family’s schedule.
- Personal Scheduling Call: Once the referral is ready for the next step, a member of our team will call you directly. During this call, we will:
- Find an appointment date and time that works for you.
- Confirm your insurance and contact information.
- Answer any immediate questions you have about the clinic location or arrival.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Initial Evaluation
We understand that an initial evaluation can feel like a big step. Our goal is to create a comfortable, low-stress environment where your child can truly shine while we gather the information needed to support them.
During the initial evaluation, your child will meet with a provider for an initial session lasting one to two hours. During the visit, we incorporate play-based testing. For many children, it feels like "play." We use a variety of developmental tests designed to be engaging and age-appropriate.
While we work with your child, you will have dedicated time to ask questions, share your observations and provide important context about your child’s history and daily life.
Preparation Tips for Parents
To make your child's initial evaluation go as smoothly as possible, we recommend the following:
- Comfort First: Have your child wear comfortable clothes they can move and play in.
- Snacks & Drinks: Feel free to bring a small snack or a favorite water bottle for your child.
Developing a Path Forward
Once the testing is complete, we will synthesize the results into a personalized treatment plan specifically tailored to your child’s unique strengths and needs. You will have a collaborative opportunity to discuss these results and the next steps in detail.
Your child's treatment plan may include:
- Educational Guidance: Strategies or recommendations for school-based support.
- Medical Management: Recommendations for medication, if appropriate.
- Specialist Connections: Referrals to other pediatric sub-specialists or continued follow-up with your child's primary care team.
- Therapy Referrals: Specific recommendations for speech, occupational or physical therapy.
After the Appointment
You don't need to worry about taking perfect notes during the initial evaluation. Following your visit, a comprehensive copy of the initial visit summary will be mailed to your home. This document ensures you, your primary care doctor and any other healthcare professionals have a clear roadmap for your child's care.
NICU Follow-Up & Early Intervention
The first years of life are a critical window for growth. Our specialized program supports NICU graduates and young children (birth to 2.5 years) who may have been born prematurely, at a low birth weight or with complex medical needs and congenital anomalies. We provide expert, compassionate monitoring for children with unique medical journeys, ensuring every child has the specialized support they need to thrive from day one.
Why This Program Matters
For families transitioning from the NICU to home, the road can feel uncertain. Our team provides a consistent "medical home" to monitor:
- Growth & Nutrition: Tracking progress for babies born small or early.
- Developmental Milestones: Early identification of social, motor or cognitive delays.
- Complex Medical Support: Expertise in managing congenital conditions in a supportive, outpatient setting.
- Monitor Movement: Monitor quality of movement in or to progress through milestones.
Your Child’s Developmental Journey
Follow-Up Schedule
Our NICU follow-up program is built around a series of proactive screenings. These core visits allow our multidisciplinary team to track progress, celebrate milestones and provide early intervention when needed.
Typically, we see children at these key developmental windows:
- 4 months: Focusing on early motor development, feeding and visual engagement.
- 9 months: Assessing sitting, reaching and early social communication.
- 18 months: Tracking walking, first words and toddler-age social interaction.
- 2.5 years (30 months): A comprehensive check on language, play skills and readiness for future learning environments.
Responsive & Extended Care
We recognize that every child develops on their own unique timeline. Our program is designed to be adaptable:
- Additional Screenings: We may schedule supplemental visits if further monitoring or specific screenings are needed between standard milestones.
- Continuity of Care: While our core program focuses on the first 30 months, we can continue to follow children beyond 2.5 years if new concerns arise or if ongoing support is needed.
These visits are more than just check-ups; they are an opportunity for you to ask questions, share your observations and partner with us to advocate for your child. We are here for you as long as your child needs specialized developmental monitoring.
The Neonatal Feeding Bridge: Your Partner in Growth
Transitioning home from the NICU with a feeding tube is a significant milestone. Our program is designed to provide the clinical expertise and family support needed to help your baby gain independence in oral feeding while ensuring they continue to grow and thrive.
What Sets Our Program Apart
We bridge the gap between the intensive care of the hospital and the comfort of your home through a coordinated, interdisciplinary approach.
- Early Connection: We aim to meet your family while you are still in the NICU to explain the program and ensure you feel prepared for discharge.
- Home Monitoring Tools: To give you peace of mind, we provide a medical-grade baby scale for you to use at home.
- Digital Integration: You will stay connected with our team by inputting your baby’s weights into the MyUnityPoint electronic chart, allowing us to monitor progress in real-time between visits.
Feeding Support
Your Visit Schedule
We provide frequent touchpoints during the critical first weeks at home:
- First Visit: 1–2 weeks after hospital discharge.
- Follow-Up: At least two weekly visits following your initial appointment.
- Ongoing Care: Additional visits are scheduled based on your baby’s specific feeding and growth goals.
Specialized Team
Your baby’s care is managed by a multidisciplinary team that specializes exclusively in neonatal development and nutrition.
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner & Nurse: Leading the medical coordination and transition care.
- Specialized Speech-Language Pathologist: Expertly trained in infant feeding therapy and swallowing safety.
- Registered Dietitian: A specialist in neonatal nutrition to ensure optimal caloric intake for growth.
- Your Pediatrician: We work in close partnership with your primary care provider to ensure a seamless care for your child.
Resources to Help
Providers at this Location
Amy Yuska, DNP, ARNP, CPNP-PC, PMHS
Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics
Jordyn Wiser, DNP, ARNP, CPNP-PC
Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics
Nate Noble, DO
Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Medical Genetics
Kelly Schifsky, DO
Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics
Rebecca Schlawin, DNP, MPH, ARNP, CPNP
Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics