Your child may benefit from an evaluation if you, your child’s pediatrician, teacher, or another caregiver who knows your child well has concerns about how your child is developing,  learning, paying attention, or behaving. 

Parents often seek an evaluation for reasons such as delays in reaching developmental milestones, speech or language concerns, challenges with feeding or sleep, difficulties with social skills, attention, or activity level, or struggles with learning and schoolwork.

This approach is designed for children age 3- to 10-years-old.

Before your Initial Parent Meeting

You will receive a link to access our secure patient portal. Once registered, CDBP will provide several forms for you to complete. We ask that these forms be completed before the Initial Parent Meeting, as they help us gain a better understanding of your child and your concerns and ensure that you are familiar with CDBP’s policies and procedures.

Parents may also upload relevant documents for Dr. Vander Ploeg Booth’s review, including previous evaluations, therapy notes, report cards, or other pertinent records.

Initial Parent Meeting – Virtual, 90 minutes

This 90-minute telehealth meeting will be conducted virtually. A link to join the appointment will be available through your child’s portal. Please note that full payment is due prior to the In Person Evaluation. 

During this session, Dr. Vander Ploeg Booth will review intake information and gather a detailed history of your concerns. This will include discussion of your child’s birth and medical history, sleep patterns, and other factors that may influence development and behavior.

Following the meeting, Dr. Vander Ploeg Booth will provide parents with appropriate, validated developmental and behavioral questionnaires to be completed prior to your child’s in-person evaluation. 

In Person Child Evaluation – 2-4 hours

This in-person evaluation will last approximately 2 to 4 hours. One or more parents must accompany the child to the appointment and remain in the clinic for the duration of this visit. To help ensure a focused evaluation, we ask that no other children attend this appointment. 

Evaluation activities will be tailored to your child’s age and individual needs. For some portions of the evaluation, parents may be present in the evaluation room, while for others, parents may be asked to wait in the waiting area. 

The evaluation will include assessment of your child’s cognitive abilities, social communication, and behavior. Dr. Vander Ploeg Booth will also complete a physical examination. Please reassure your child ahead of time that this examination will not involve any shots or painful procedures.

Evaluation Review – Virtual, 90 minutes

This 90-minute telehealth meeting will be held virtually. A link to join the appointment will be available through your child’s patient portal.

All developmental and behavioral questionnaires must be completed and received at least two business days prior to this meeting. A copy of your child’s evaluation report will be available in the patient portal prior to the start of the appointment.

During this meeting, Dr. Vander Ploeg Booth will review the evaluation findings, discuss any diagnoses, and go over recommendations and next steps.

Optional Update Meeting – Virtual, 90 minutes

This optional 90-minute telehealth meeting is available for up to six months following your child’s evaluation. 

Families may choose to schedule this meeting to discuss ongoing concerns such as challenges with implementing recommendations, changes in their child’s needs, or questions about next steps.

Chicago Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics is designed as an evaluation focused practice.  Our goal is to help families quickly understand their child’s needs, receive an accurate diagnosis, and develop a clear roadmap to support their child’s success.  

Each child and family will receive personalized recommendations, which may include guidance for follow-up care.  If follow-up with a Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician is recommended, this will be clearly outlined in report provided to you.

Evaluations at CDBP are self pay via credit card, with full payment due prior to the Initial Parent Meeting.  CDBP does not accept insurance, and Dr. Vander Ploeg Booth is considered an out-of -network provider for all insurance plans. 

After your evaluation, CDBP will provide a detailed billing summary, including diagnostic (ICD-10) and procedure (CPT) codes, which you may submit to your insurance provider for possible reimbursement.

Please note that your health insurance is a contract between you and your insurance provider.  CDBP cannot answer questions about specific insurance plans, so we encourage families to review their benefits carefully.  Some insurance plans may require a referral from your child’s primary care provider to receive reimbursement.  To help avoid any issues, we recommend obtaining a referral before your child’s evaluation.