Important Announcements

Nondiscrimination Statement Update

Boston Medical Center Health System complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency and primary language), religion, culture, physical or mental disabilities, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression. BMCHS provides free aids and services to people with disabilities and free language services to people whose primary language is not English.

To see our full nondiscrimination statement, click here.

Campus Construction Update

Starting September 14, we’re closing the Menino building lobby entrance. This, along with the ongoing Yawkey building entrance closure, will help us bring you an even better campus experience that matches the exceptional care you've come to expect. Please enter the Menino and Yawkey buildings through the Moakley building, and make sure to leave extra time to get to your appointment. Thank you for your patience. 

Click here to learn more about our campus redesign. 

Pediatrics - Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

This program sees children from birth to 22 years with a variety of developmental issues. We provide diagnoses and a variety of medical, psychological, behavioral, and nutritional support, working closely with families and caregivers.


617.414.4841

This program sees children from birth to 22 years with a variety of developmental and behavioral issues including developmental language delay, school challenges including ADHD, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety disorders, behavioral problems, traumatic exposures and their impact, and more.

Visit the emergency room or call 911 if you feel your child is at risk of hurting themselves or others.

Our typical model of care is a 3 part consultation: 

  • Visit 1 is a parent/guardian only meeting to discuss the concerning history of the child/adolescent and to gather information from previous providers working with the family. This visit is typically virtual. For example: early intervention records, teacher information, prior testing, etc.
  • Visit 2 is an assessment/evaluation with the child. This visit is in person.  This typically occurs after we have collected any prior testing information or evaluation forms.
  • Visit 3 is an appointment with the family to discuss diagnosis and recommendations.Ideally this is in person but can be changed to telemedicine if necessitated. 

For appointments or more information, please call 617.414.4841.

Contact Us

617.414.4841

Monday, Wednesday Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00PM Tuesday, Thursday 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Specialty Clinics

Child Witness to Violence Project

The Child Witness to Violence Project (CWVP) provides free, specialized counseling, advocacy, and outreach services to support young children and their caregivers. CWVP works with children, ages birth to 8 years old, who have been exposed to domestic violence, community violence, or other potentially traumatic events. From within Boston Medical Center's Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, CWVP has provided therapy to thousands of children and their families since its inception in 1992. 

Programs and Services

Our Team

Developmental and Behavioral Health Team

Developmental and Behavioral Clinicians

Current Fellows

Rachel Vuolo, MD
Selcen Yaroglu Kazanci, MD

Referral Team

Katie Campbell

Sharon Nerboso

Grow Clinic

Child Protection

Elizabeth Egan, LCSW

Taneequa Fields, LCSW

Autism Program

Sara Bastin

Katie Campbell

Liz Ferriero

Alex Friedman

Maddy Goskoski

Hillary Hollis

Shari Krauss

Jacqueline McKendry

Comprehensive Care Program

Child Witness to Violence

Carmen Rosa Norona, LICSW, Ms. Ed., CEIS Clinical Coordinator of CWVP & Associate Director of ETTN

Stacy Normand, LICSW Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinician Lead

Sarah Hacking, LMHC Clinician

Amalia Perla, LMHC Mental Health and Intake Clinician

Natalie Heywood, MA Clinician

Rory White, LCSW Marigold Clinical Fellow

Good Grief

Patient Resources

Enrolling your Child in Early Intervention:  Children less than three years of age are eligible for services through Early Intervention. Please visit https://www.massfamilyties.org/ to find resources for an evaluation for your child. Parents can self refer and providers will evaluate your child in the home or at a center in your area to provide therapy. 

Parent School Special Education Resource Packet: The following packet provides information for parents about the process to obtain an Individualized Education Plan for your child. Parents can provide a letter to the school requesting an evaluation if they are concerned about their child’s progress in school.  Concerns can also include speech and language delays.
All Boston (and you!) Can Do For Your Child (ABCD) - English
All Boston (and you!) Can Do For Your Child (ABCD) - Spanish
All Boston (and you!) Can Do For Your Child (ABCD) - Haitian Creole
All Boston (and you!) Can Do For Your Child (ABCD) - Portuguese

Provider Resources

Additional Information

The Massachusetts Center for Unexpected Infant and Child Death
All Boston (and you!) Can Do For Your Child (ABCD) - English
All Boston (and you!) Can Do For Your Child (ABCD) - Spanish
All Boston (and you!) Can Do For Your Child (ABCD) - Haitian Creole
All Boston (and you!) Can Do For Your Child (ABCD) - Portuguese

Check out our weekly DBP Newsletter for more resources and information for families during COVID-19 social distancing:
Issue 1: March 25, 2020  |  En Español
Issue 2: April 1, 2020  |  En Español ​
Issue 3: April 8, 2020  |  En Español 
Issue 4: April 15, 2020  |  En Español
Issue 5: April 22, 2020  |  En Español
Issue 6: April 29, 2020  |  En Español
Issue 7: May 6, 2020  |  En Español
Issue 8: May 13, 2020  |  En Español
Issue 9: May 20, 2020  |  En Español
Issue 10: May 27, 2020  |  En Español
Issue 11: June 3, 2020  |  En Español
Issue 12: June 17, 2020  |  En Español
Issue 13: July 1, 2020 | En Español
Issue 14: July 15, 2020 | En Español
Issue 15: July 30, 2020 | En Español
Issue 16: August 14, 2020 | En Español
Issue 17: August 28, 2020 | En Español
Issue 18: September 11, 2020 | En Español
Issue 19: September 25, 2020 | En Español
Issue 20: October 16, 2020 | En Español
Issue 21: October 30, 2020 | En Español
Issue 22: November 13, 2020 | En Español
Issue 23: November 25, 2020 | En Español
Issue 24: December 11, 2020 | En Español | Haitian Creole
Issue 25: December 20, 2020 | En Español
Issue 26: January 11, 2021 | En Español
Issue 27: January 22, 2021 | En Español
Issue 28: February 5, 2021 | En Español

Department News

Research Overview

Information about our current research is available via our annual research highlights:

Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 2021 Research Highlights
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 2022 Research Highlights

Residency and Fellowship Information

The Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP) training program offers clinical, academic and advocacy training in the context of an urban setting. Our primary clinical training site is at Boston Medical Center, which is the largest safety net hospital in New England and has a long standing commitment to providing exceptional care without exception. Special emphasis is placed on the DBP issues families face living in the inner city.

Learn more about our training program. 

For general information about program or application materials, please contact:

Kristin Cordes
Fellowship Coordinator
617.414.3665
Kristin.Cordes@bmc.org

For program information, please contact:

Audrey Christiansen, MD, Program Director
Boston Medical Center
Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics
801 Massachusetts Avenue, 7th Floor
Boston, MA 02118
617.414.4841
audrey.christiansen@bmc.org