Departments
Child Study Center
The Yale Child Study Center is an internationally recognized center of innovation in child and family mental health, dedicated to promoting healthy development and psychological well-being across the lifespan. We care for children and adolescents whose families are concerned about their child’s development and behavior. Common concerns include developmental delays, behaviors or worries that interfere with their child’s life, isolation and fear of school, and defiant and difficult behavior. Our first job is to listen. As we begin to understand the family and child, we will guide our patients through the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment process. We provide office and home-based interventions as well as telehealth services, and we work with as many people involved in your child’s growth as possible, including parents, teachers and pediatricians. Above all, we care about your child’s development and your family’s well-being. We will use every means available—and maybe even invent some new ones—to help the child and their family. We are committed to working with every family to help them understand and address their child’s and family’s needs. Our interdisciplinary teams use up-to-date science to evaluate and then work with the family to develop a comprehensive treatment recommendations. Our treatment may include (one-on-one or group) therapy, family therapy, and parent-centered approaches and collaboration with schools. When appropriate, our providers will discuss the use of medication, providing detailed information so parents can make an informed decision. Many of our patients improve and thrive without medication, and for others it is a valuable part of their treatment. At the Yale Child Study Center, we are pioneering many treatments including approaches that help parents improve disruptive anger and aggression in children with autism and other developmental disorders. We are also developing new ways to help children overcome anxieties that may limit their daily lives, and treatment approaches designed to lessen the impact of an overwhelming event on the child and family. Finally, we work directly with parents around their own concerns about their roles as parents.Neuropsychology
We are dedicated to excellence in patient care through the study of the cognitive and behavioral changes that can result from medical and brain injuries. We are experts in identifying a patient’s pattern of cognitive and emotional functioning and how this relates to expected brain function. A neuropsychological evaluation combines tests of cognition, behavior, and emotional functioning. This comprehensive evaluation will help to determine whether cognitive changes are related to symptoms of a medical or neurological illness, a psychological condition, or a normal part of aging. This evaluation is also part of the gold-standard workup for neurosurgery candidates. We provide neuropsychological evaluations for a wide array of medical and neurological disorders, as well as neurosurgery-specific candidacy evaluations. In addition, our bilingual neuropsychologists are able to provide evaluations in Spanish. We have expertise in the following areas. Epilepsy Memory disorders & dementia Multiple Sclerosis Oncology Parkinson’s disease Stroke Traumatic brain injury What to expect at your appointment A neuropsychological evaluation consists of an interview and testing, and lasts approximately three to six hours. During the interview, you will be asked about your cognitive and emotional symptoms, health history and medications, and other important background information. Neuropsychological Testing : Cognitive testing is designed to assess domains of thinking including attention, processing speed, memory, language, visual spatial abilities, and problem solving. Tests include paper-and-pencil as well as computerized methods. Emotional functioning is evaluated during the clinical interview and supplemented with self-report measures. We often request information from a close relation (family member or caregiver) about the individual’s functioning in daily life. The results from testing will aid your providers in diagnosis, treatment planning, and recommendations to improve your overall well-being. The neuropsychological evaluation typically includes administration of standardized tests to determine cognitive functioning in the following areas: General/baseline intellectual ability Attention Processing speed Visuospatial abilities Language Memory Executive functioning (problem solving) Motor skills Behavioral and emotional functioning What to bring to your appointment We are very attentive to our patients’ needs. We work with each patient so that they feel as comfortable as possible. We encourage patents to get a good night’s sleep and eat a good breakfast before the appointment. Please bring the following: Glasses and hearing aids Water and a small snack, if needed Reports from any prior neuropsychological testing previously completed A family member, friend, or caregiver so they can provide insights into your abilities Please call us at 203-785-4085 if you have any questions about your appointment.Pediatric Neurology
We evaluate, diagnose, and manage children and young adults with problems involving the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nervous system, and muscular systems. Our highly trained physicians offer child-friendly, family-centered care and are experts in treating nervous system disorders including: Epilepsy and seizures Learning disabilities, including developmental delay, cerebral palsy, and dyslexia Headaches and migraines Migraine and other pain syndromes Movement and paroxysmal disorders Multiple Sclerosis and white matter disease Muscular Dystrophies, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and other nerve and muscular disorders Spinal cord disorders, including myelomeningocele and spinal muscular atrophy Stroke and other cerebrovascular disorders Our special services include: Comprehensive epilepsy evaluation, including inpatient combined electroencephalogram (EEG) to measure electrical activity in the brain and video monitoring for epilepsy Evaluation and management of full-term and premature infants with potential nervous system problemsPsychiatry
Yale Psychiatry is the largest provider of psychiatric services in Connecticut, and the top National Institutes of Health-supported Department of Psychiatry in the United States. We are dedicated to adding to the body of knowledge in the field, and improving treatments for psychiatric disorders that span all ages. This includes helping people cope with major life events or medical illnesses, behavioral problems associated with personality disorder or addiction, mood and psychotic disorders, and dementia. Yale investigators have pioneered new treatments for nearly every psychiatric disorder. Our research programs have produced breakthroughs in areas as diverse as molecular neuroscience, genetics, translational neuroscience, neuroimaging, psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, rehabilitation, health services, forensic psychiatry, epidemiology, and health policy. Today, our clinicians are at the forefront of social, pharmacological, psychological, rehabilitative, and neurostimulation treatments. Through clinical trials, our interventional psychiatry service delivers high-impact treatments, including ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) and ketamine, for patients with treatment-resistant symptoms of depression. Our clinical programs are interwoven with our research efforts. We host programs that specialize in the major mental diseases and substance abuse treatment at three major institutions: Connecticut Mental Health Center, the Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, and the Yale New Haven Psychiatric Hospital. We also provide increased psychiatry support for Smilow Cancer Hospital in areas such as smoking cessation.Pediatrics
Our uncompromising faculty and staff are dedicated to the welfare of children and adolescents. One of two major pediatric centers in Connecticut, Yale offers an extensive range of services for patients through our 14 specialties. In addition, we have several interdisciplinary centers and programs that involve collaborations with multiple departments throughout Yale Medicine and Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. Thanks to our reputation for comprehensive pediatric care, we serve as a regional and national center for referral and consultation. Many of our physicians are internationally recognized for their innovative approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of conditions including arrhythmias, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, childhood cancers, juvenile diabetes, dyslexia, blood disorders, infectious diseases, and complications of premature birth, as well as many other disorders. We are leaders in the global pediatric community, advocates for childhood health and development, and innovators in research. We rank among the top pediatric centers in the country with respect to National Institutes of Health support for research. Neonatal and pediatric ICUs that serve our most vulnerable patients with the highest level of care 24/7 subspecialty telephone consultation service for primary care clinicians with expected response time of three minutes More than 20 years of experience with neonatal and pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, a sophisticated machine that acts as an artificial heart and lungs, crucial for some seriously ill infants One-call center that provides centralized appointment scheduling for all pediatric specialties Close collaboration with other Yale departments to provide such services as molecular and genetic diagnostic services, state-of-the art management of high-risk fetuses and newborns, bone marrow transplantation, and management of complex malignanciesMemory Disorders & Cognitive Neurology
So many of us understand the challenges of caring for a loved one who has a neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or frontotemporal dementia. At our Dorothy Adler Geriatric Assessment Center, our team of experts meets with the patient, family members, or caregivers to determine how medical, psychological, cognitive, or social problems are impeding function or threatening independent living. After assessment, our physicians focus on minimizing the progressive loss of neuron function and repairing neural damage, helping people with these conditions live with as much peace and stability as possible.Neurology
Yale’s Department of Neurology has been at the forefront of cutting-edge clinical care and scientific discovery since it began in 1952. It was Yale scientists who discovered the genes that cause Multiple Sclerosis. Yale housed one of the first epilepsy monitoring units in the country, and one of the first stroke centers at its partner, the Veterans Affairs (VA) Center in West Haven. Today, our team of experienced doctors are committed to understanding and treating the entire spectrum of nervous system diseases. Expert physicians specialize in brain and nerve health for both children and adults. Specialized care is offered in the following areas: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), myasthenia gravis, peripheral neuropathy, neuromuscular disorders Alzheimer’s disease/cognitive disorders Epilepsy and neurophysiology General neurology, headache, pain Multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunology Neurodegenerative disorders Neurocritical care Neurological infections Neuro-oncology Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders Stroke and vascular neurologyNeurosurgery
At Yale Medicine Neurosurgery, we care for adults and children with neurological disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system. These types of conditions affect the brain, spinal cord, and nerves which send messages from brain to the rest of your body. Our team is comprised of highly trained surgeons, researchers, and clinicians who are all focused on delivering expert care for conditions related to the brain and spine. Each neurosurgeon on our team has extensive training in their respective areas of neurosurgery. Conditions we treat include: All types of primary brain tumors, including gliomas, glioblastomas, and meningiomas Brain and spine trauma Cerebrospinal fluid disorders (such as normal pressure hydrocephalus) Epilepsy Metastatic brain, spine, and spinal cord tumors Movement disorders (including Parkinson's disease and tremors) Neurovascular disease (aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, and carotid artery stenosis) Pain disorders (such as trigeminal neuralgia) Pediatric and congenital disorders (including hydrocephalus, craniosynostosis, spina bifida, and congenital spine deformities Peripheral nerve syndromes (such as carpal tunnel syndrome) Pituitary tumors (adenomas) Spasticity (including multiple sclerosis) Spinal disorders (such as herniated disks, stenosis, and scoliosis)Developmental & Behavioral Pediatric Program
Our specialists offer expert evaluation, counseling, and treatment for children and adolescents with a variety of developmental and behavioral challenges. We care for patients with conditions ranging from ADHD and oppositional-defiant behavior, to autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities. In addition, we treat fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, anxiety and depression, bedwetting, and Tourette’s syndrome. We provide families with detailed patient evaluations and treatment plans. Patients can be seen either at our outpatient developmental medicine center, or through inpatient and community consultations. Our team includes board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians, nurse practitioners, social workers, speech and language pathologists, psychologists, and occupational and physical therapists.General Pediatrics
We provide preventive and urgent health care to children and adolescents in the greater New Haven community. Our pediatricians work in the Yale New Haven Hospital Pediatric Primary Care Centers at three locations: York Street, St. Raphael campus, and at Chapel Pediatrics in Hamden. We offer routine vaccinations and wellness exams, screening for childhood illness, and positive parenting support and programs. We also have particular expertise in handling conditions that occur during adolescence. Our physicians are highly trained and committed to advocating for children. In our offices, we see children with Husky or commercial insurance, and offer a sliding scale for those without insurance. In our specialty programs, we treat infants and children with a broad range of childhood problems, including: Developmental and behavioral disorders Physical and sexual abuse Rheumatologic conditions, such as arthritis and lupusPediatric Gender Program
When a young person has questions or concerns related to gender, the entire family is affected. We are a safe, supportive resource and interdisciplinary program for children, adolescents, and young adults who are exploring their gender identity, as well as for their families. We provide comprehensive care for young people who are questioning their assigned gender and/or are seeking consultation and care. Our team includes pediatric-trained endocrinologists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, as well as a medical ethicist, a chaplain, and a lawyer. We work closely together as a team and also consult with a wide array of other specialists. Together, we are committed to providing care in compassionate and respectful ways. Our clinicians follow current medical protocols, and the care offered by our program is supported by professional guidelines endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Psychological Association. When it comes to gender identity and related concerns, our first step is to listen. Some youth are exploring their identity. Others know that how they feel inside does not match up with the gender they were assigned at birth. We help sort through these questions. After an initial consultation, we offer a thorough biopsychosocial readiness assessment, which includes obtaining information from patients and their families. This comprehensive assessment takes six to eight hours to complete and can be done in one day or divided over several sessions. If we determine that any mental health or other support is needed, we can connect patients with resources at Yale or in the community. After the evaluation and when all parties agree that it is safe, healthy, and appropriate, we offer a variety of care options related to gender affirmation. At the first visit to our program, gender affirmation visit, patients and their families will meet with both one of our a pediatric endocrinologists and a mental health provider experienced in caring for dealing with patients who report gender variance. First and foremost, we make sure we understand our patients’ needs and desires. We will discuss the risks and side effects of any proposed care options, work together to learn what support systems are already in place, and determine what additional treatments and resources our patients may need. If you are in crisis, call the confidential toll-free National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If texting is easier, you can also text the National Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.Pediatric Emergency Medicine
At any time and every day of the year, our highly trained specialists are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to prevent, diagnose, and manage a vast array of acute illness and injuries among infants, children, and adolescents. We collaborate with pediatric medical and surgical specialists to bring the best emergency care to infants and children. Each year, the Pediatric Emergency Department at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, a Level I trauma center, treats more than 40,000 children from infancy to age 20. The state-of-the-art, dedicated children’s department features 16 rooms and two major treatment/trauma rooms. It is in close proximity to but distinctly separate from the adult emergency department, and is staffed by physicians and nurses skilled in caring for children. Full-time pediatricians, each of whom has completed additional training in pediatric emergency medicine, oversee patient care. Our staff is ready for any medical emergency, but common conditions we treat include: Respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses Poisoning, including environmental toxins Major and minor trauma, including head injury Suspected child abuse and neglect Abdominal emergencies Behavioral and psychiatric emergencies In addition to our attending emergency medicine physicians, our team includes fellows, physician assistants, pediatric residents, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, sexual assault nurse examiners, and forensic experts. Our patients have 24-hour access to experts from all pediatric specialties, including toxicology and critical care. Child life specialists and pediatric social workers are also ready to ease the emergency room experience for children and families. Our team is expert in the fields of bedside ultrasound, injury prevention, and disaster preparedness.