The Neurodevelopmental Center

Expert Assessments, Compassionate Guidance, and Team Care for Your Child

Maybe your child is a little behind their peers in terms of talking. They avoid making eye contact. They struggle to connect. Even with members of your family.

At the Neurodevelopmental Center, we take these signs—and your concerns— seriously. We offer thorough assessments and clear next steps for your child and your family. With a MetroHealth treatment team in their corner, children can grow and families can move forward with more confidence.

What We Mean by Neurodevelopmental Care

Neurodevelopmental differences can affect how a child communicates and relates to the world. These conditions often appear in childhood, but can emerge later in life. Our staff helps your child and your family understand these conditions.

What care means to us: Our physicians and staff provide a safe space for the robust assessment and treatment of our patients. We also provide ongoing support for patients and family members alike.

Respecting Neurodiversity

We value and respect the term “neurodiversity.” It's a helpful and inclusive term. Many families use it to understand their child's experience. While we honor the language families choose, we rely on the medical terms from psychology and psychiatry.

Our duty as providers: determine if your child meets the diagnostic criteria outlined in The Diagnostics and Statistics Manual of Mental Disorders or The International Classification of Diseases. Some children with neurodivergent traits do not have a neurodevelopmental disorder.

The Conditions We Assess

• Autism spectrum disorders.
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
• Communication disorders.
• Genetic conditions and related syndromes.
• Intellectual developmental disorder/intellectual disability.
• Early exposure to toxins.

What to Expect During the Assessment

Our assessment process includes up to four visits. Each visit is designed to provide a full picture of your child's strengths and challenges. Every family receives personalized results and a plan for care. This process includes:

1. An initial visit with an autism specialist to discuss your child’s condition and your family’s concerns (1 hour).
2. A visit with a psychologist for a cognitive assessment (1 hour).
3. An appointment with one or more members of our professional staff, including:
   • A psychologist.
   • A speech/language therapist.
   • A doctor who specializes in child development and neurodevelopmental disorders (up to 3 hours).
4. A meeting with the psychologist to review whether your child has a neurodevelopmental disorder. At this stage, we put a care plan into place. We also ensure you understand the services and support available to your child and family (1 hour).

Additional visits may be scheduled. Adult assessments often follow the same process.

Complementary Services for the Assessment

In a safe, supportive space for assessment and care, we offer:

• Neurodevelopmental assessments for children ages 18 months to 5 years.
• Spanish-language assessments for children ages 18 months to 18 years. All providers in the clinic speak Spanish.
• Short-term services with a social worker to identify resources for support.

Your Treatment Team

You and your child will work with a team of specialists committed to comprehensive care. This team includes pediatricians, psychologists, and speech-language pathologists.

For Adults: Understanding Your Diagnosis and Next Steps for Care

Neurodevelopmental disorders start in childhood or adolescence. In many cases, the full impact of this disorder may not emerge until adulthood.

We assess many adults for neurodevelopmental disorders. (Doctor's referral required.) During this assessment, we may ask questions about your experiences in childhood and adolescence. Some questions explore sensitive matters. This process helps us understand the full picture and provide accurate recommendations.

To learn more, call 440-592-3740.

Resources

Set up a virtual classroom for students with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Download the virtual classroom guide

Location

The Neurodevelopmental Center is located at:

Parma Medical Center
12301 Snow Road
Parma, Ohio 44130

Appointments

Ask your doctor to make a referral to MetroHealth Child Psychology, Speech Therapy and Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics

After the referral is made, call 440-592-3740 and ask for an autism assessment.