Pediatric Psychology

Expert Assessments and Support

The Pediatric Psychology program at ChildServe offers a kid-focused, family-friendly place for children and young adults to receive psychological testing, diagnoses, and professional support. Our psychology staff provide parents with feedback regarding their child’s diagnosis or level of functioning. Each child receives an individualized evaluation designed to cover many areas of concern.

Why choose ChildServe?

Specially Trained

The experts in ChildServe’s Pediatric Psychology Program, like our Licensed Psychologists and Board Certified Behavioral Analyst, have specialized training and knowledge to assess and treat children with mental health needs.

Well-rounded Approach

Our psychology program partners with other ChildServe service areas to provide children with a well-rounded approach to their mental healthcare needs.

Multidisciplinary Team

ChildServe’s multidisciplinary team of pediatric specialists provides evaluations for a wide range of mental health needs in one convenient location.

Who We Serve

ADHD Testing

Asperger Syndrome

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Cognitive Impairment

Depression

Developmental Delays

Generalized Anxiety

Gifted Testing

Learning Disorders

Mood Disorder

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Panic Disorder

Pervasive Developmental Disorder – NOS

Phobias and Fears

Selective Mutism

Separation Anxiety

Social Skill Deficits

Trichotillomania

Our Approach

We Know Kids

Our entire organization is built around kids! ChildServe’s pediatric psychology team provides assessments designed to increase understanding about how a child thinks, learns, and behaves. The experts in our Pediatric Psychology program have specialized knowledge and skills to evaluate and care for children with mental health concerns.

Expert Psychological Evaluations

Each child in the Pediatric Psychology program is assessed one-on-one, with space available for family observation. Evaluations may include interviews, observation, testing, and consultation with other professionals involved in the child’s care. By detecting areas of concern, we can help identify needs for special services in school and help a child gain access to community resources.

We Care about Families

ChildServe’s pediatric specialists provide families with a continuum of care throughout the evaluation process. We offer feedback, guidance, and resources after an evaluation to help parents understand their child’s condition. Our Pediatric Psychology program partners with children who are currently receiving services throughout other ChildServe programs, as well as those who are new to ChildServe. Our medical social workers provide families with care coordination for the transition to ChildServe’s programs and any other community resources that may be needed.

Chloe’s Story

For many parents of children with special healthcare needs, the hardest times can be the ones before the diagnosis. This was the case for Mindi and her daughter, Chloe. After years of searching for an answer, ChildServe helped Mindi find one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to receive services from Pediatric Psychology?

ChildServe’s Pediatric Psychology program serves children and young adults (2 – 21 years old), whose primary caregiver, school staff, medical professional, or mental health professional wants clarity on the child’s diagnosis or level of functioning.

Who works in ChildServe’s Pediatric Psychology program?

ChildServe’s psychology team includes:

Psychologist
Psychology Associates
Psychometricians

How do I get started?

Referrals can be made by the child’s parent/guardian, physicians, case managers, therapists, or other members of the child’s care team. To make a referral or request more information, call 515-727-8750.

Where are the evaluations provided?

Pediatric psychological evaluations are currently offered Monday – Friday at ChildServe in Johnston.

When are services provided?

Pediatric Psychology evaluations are available Monday through Thursday by appointment only.

How can I prepare my child for testing?

It is important to talk to your child before any procedure to remove fears about what to expect. Make sure your child knows the evaluation will not include a physical exam (no needles, medicines, etc.). For younger children, you may wish to talk about how the evaluation may include puzzles and games. Older children may find it helpful to know there will be games and school-like work. However, unlike at school, there are no right or wrong answers.

On the day of the evaluation, please give your child all scheduled medications that he or she normally receives. Make sure your child receives enough sleep for several nights before the evaluation and has a good meal prior to coming in for their appointment.

What does the evaluation look like?

Our psychologists use many standardized testing tools to evaluate the level of functioning. Psychologic evaluations include pencil and paper tasks, puzzles, drawing, and games. The evaluation covers skill areas like general intellectual level, language, memory and learning, problem-solving, planning and organization, fine motor skills, visual-spatial skills, and academic skills (reading, math, spelling and writing). The evaluation also includes an examination of behavior, emotions and social functioning.

You and your child will start the psychological testing process by coming in for an assessment appointment. It is important to get to know you before beginning testing. From this assessment, the psychologist will determine which type of standardized testing will be most appropriate for your child. If recommended for testing, it’s important to know testing can take several hours and may involve multiple meetings with our psychologists.

During your final appointment, our psychologists will provide a written report of findings and recommendations. You will have the opportunity to ask any clarifying questions and ensure that you understand the results.

Contact Us!

ChildServe – Johnston

5406 Merle Hay Road, Johnston, IA 50131

(515) 727-8750

If you would like to make a referral, or if you have questions for our team, please email communications@childserve.org. Be sure to include which location you are interested in so we can connect you with the right team member.

ChildServe Center - Johnston

About

ChildServe improves the health and well-being of 4,600 children each year through specialized clinical, home, and community-based programs and services. We serve children with developmental delays, disabilities, injuries, and other special healthcare needs.