Tina Gabby, MD
I am a behavioral and developmental pediatrician who specializes in the behavioral and developmental problems of young children. Although my work focuses on infants, pre-school and the early school aged child, I may see older children as well. Goals in my work include determining a child’s strengths and weaknesses, helping parents better understand their children so that they know how best to parent them, and determining what services, if any, are needed so that their child may reach their maximum potential and feel good about themselves.
The evaluation process:
There are some occasions in which one consultation session suffices, but I typically perform evaluations over 3 or 4 visits.
Most encounters begin with a session with parents. During this interview we discuss variables such as medical history, genetic, social and environmental factors. Through parent history, I investigate individual variables such as cognitive performance (pre-academic and academic), social, motor, language and behavioral functioning.
I then meet the child for one or two visits, during which I conduct a child interview, perform a non-invasive neurological examination, developmental screening, and will observe the child at play.
Data is collected from school or other professionals by phone interview and questionnaires, and I review any prior evaluations.
The assessment concludes with a visit with the parents during which we review information collected. At this meeting, I discuss my impressions and recommendations.
Official diagnoses may be given, but emphasis is placed on highlighting a child’s strengths and weaknesses rather than a diagnosis. Diagnoses are often useful in helping a family access, retain, or be reimbursed for services.
A family-centered approach…
A family-centered approach is central to my work, as a child’s behavior and development may influence family functioning, just as family functioning may affect the child. I practice evidence-based medicine, making treatment recommendations based on medical evidence. Treatment may include referrals to various therapists (occupational, language, social skills, mental health professionals, neurologists, etc.) Short term parenting sessions or child-centered cognitive behavioral therapy may be offered. I will consider medication for your child if we feel, together, that this would be in the child’s best interest. I remain open to other types of therapies as well.