The RNBC focuses on improving outcomes of children with brain-based learning and behavioral problems (including such problems as social learning disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, academic learning disabilities, Tourette’s syndrome, Autism, and Asperger's Syndrome.)

There are three aspects to these services:

Evaluation: This may include, review of records, school observation, communication with other professionals involved, parent interview and a visit with the child.

Feedback: All of the information gathered during the evaluative phase is integrated and the understanding of the child’s neurobehavioral strengths and weaknesses, diagnoses and suggested interventions are shared with the parents, the child when age appropriate and the school (if desired by the family).

Case Management: This may include help with choice and oversight of interventions, family education, school and summer planning and, when appropriate, pharmacologic treatment.

Pediatric behavioral neurology services are available to children and adolescents. An individualized treatment plan is developed for each child.

Executive Functioning Clinical/Tutoring Services

Executive Functioning tutoring is offered at RNBC. An initial intake appointment is required to gather and assess your child?s strengths and weaknesses; review any prior diagnostic testing, evaluate your child?s work samples, discuss your child?s personality, and determine potential tutor/student compatibility. A typical tutoring session is 50 minutes in length. Frequency of sessions is determined on a case-by-case basis. Consultations with parents, school, and other professionals are based on an hourly rate including travel time. Payment for services is due at time-of-service. Due to the high demand of educational tutoring services, cancellations are requested 48 hours prior to the set appointment. Please contact Cate Gonley at 847-933-9339 ext. 222 to schedule an appointment.

Social Development Services

We offer social development services for a variety of brain-based social learning issues such as nonverbal learning Disabilities, Asperger syndrome, ADHD and executive function deficits. Social development training includes teaching children the specific social skills necessary for developing successful and long-lasting social relationships.

Social development groups are available for children ages 4-17. Children are grouped with others in the same age group who have similar needs in terms of social development.

Social development groups are available throughout the year. Groups are run by RNBC psychologists, social workers and educational consultants. Each group typically consists of eight one-hour child sessions and two parent consultations.

For information on current social development groups, please call (847) 933-9339, ext. 235.

Case Management

For families facing the challenge of a child with a neurobehavioral disorder, the diagnostic process and possible interventions can be overwhelming. Parents often wonder: Who is the right professional to diagnose my child? Which interventions are necessary? How will I know if the intervention works? When is there too much intervention?

Case management can best be defined as an approach for implementing seamless, efficient care whereby, under the leadership of a case manager, collaborative information is used to assess, plan, implement, coordinate, monitor and evaluate a child’s neurobehavioral course. Pediatric case management serves children from birth to young adulthood. The aim of pediatric neurobehavioral case management is to guide parents and their children through care paths that will optimize outcomes.

Depending on the needs of the patient, case management varies in the number of hours, specific services and the time course involved. Case management services are available from many professionals at RNBC.

Psychotherapy Services

Individual and family therapy services are available at RNBC to provide support for children and families around the social, emotional and behavioral problems that often accompany neurobehavioral disorders. The nature and length of the treatment varies depending on the needs and age of the child. Therapy appointments typically are scheduled on a weekly basis. The specific method of psychotherapy is determined by a careful evaluation of the child’s needs and developmental stage. Teens and older children usually benefit more from talking to the therapist about their problems, while play therapy is more often used with younger children. Because of our belief that we can do our best work by understanding and working with all the components of a child’s world, collaboration with school systems as well as other pertinent professionals in a child’s life (e.g., speech/language therapist, tutor, psychiatrist) is an important component of treatment. Goals for therapy are established on an individual basis and may be specific (e.g., change in behavior, improved relations with friends or family), or more general (less anxiety, better self-esteem).

Psychological Testing

Psychological testing services are available at RNBC for children from age 3 through adolescence. Testing batteries are individualized to address specific presenting problems. Common referrals for psychological testing include concerns about ADHD, learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral problems, social difficulties or developmental delays. A typical psychological testing battery includes a comprehensive evaluation of the following domains of functioning: intellectual abilities, academic achievement, attentional/executive functioning, memory, social cognition and emotional/behavioral functioning. Testing sessions are usually scheduled during the school day, and the overall number of testing hours varies, depending on the presenting problem and the child’s age. Once the testing has been completed, it is possible to obtain an overall profile of a child’s strengths and weaknesses and to provide specific recommendations for educational and treatment planning. In addition, the testing can help determine how a child processes different types of information and his/her problem solving skills. The child’s testing profile is shared with parents, schools and the child, when age appropriate, during subsequent feedback sessions. In general, psychological testing can provide rich information to help guide parents and teachers in helping children fulfill their potential.

For questions or to make an appointment please call 847-933-9339