The Child Development Center

Children and adolescents who have problems in learning, development, growth or any handicapping conditions are provided with skilled and comprehensive diagnostic testing and treatment designed to meet individual needs.

The Child Development Center is able to provide the services of

Programs And Services

Early Intervention Program

A transdisciplinary family-centered program for developmentally delayed infants and toddlers from birth to age 3. Includes:

  • Developmental evaluation
  • Group and/or individual developmental sessions
  • Parent/support education groups
  • Community-based visits

The team of healthcare professionals works with families and children to improve developmental skills in:

  • motor abilities
  • speech-language
  • feeding
  • thinking
  • socialization

This program is offered at no charge to families. Early intervention services are funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey State Department of Health-Early Intervention Program and by Hunterdon Medical Center. The Flemington Elks Lodge also has been a consistent supporter of the program.

For more information or to register, call Service Coordinators Linda O'Brien or Virginia Hope at (908) 788-6398.

Neurodevelopmental Pediatricians

Over 220,000 New Jersey students - 15% of the state's students - currently receive special education services. Care for these children and adolescents requires coordination between primary and special health care systems, schools, child care, early intervention programs, and community services. Developmental Pediatric Associates is a practice formed to address these needs.

David Atkin, M.D. began his career in Princeton forty years ago as a general pediatrician. He became inspired to help children and adolescents with school-related problems. After studying with respected developmental specialist Dr. Mel Levine, Dr. Atkin focused his practice to children and adolescents with learning disabilities and ADHD.

Audrey Mars, M.D. works with children who exhibit a wide range of developmental disabilities and has a special interest in children with Autism, and those who are internationally adopted.

Dr. Mars will continue in an established research capacity with UMDNJ - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. She is involved with research to determine the influence of exposure to neurotoxicants on child health and development with autism as a focus, as well as the prevalence of Autism in New Jersey.

Michele Willems-Plakyda, M.D. completed a fellowship in Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and also served as a staff physician at Children's Specialized Hospital in Mountainside and the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.

Dr. Willems-Plakyda's special interests are children with physical disabilities, children with genetic syndromes and children with learning disabilities and ADHD.

Frances Rhoads, M.D. received her medical degree from Cambridge University in England and did her pediatric residency at Philadelphia General Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, and Kauikeolani Children’s Hospital in Honolulu, HI, where she also completed a fellowship in child development. She is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and speaks fluent Spanish. She has a particular interest in preschool age developmental delays and elementary school age learning disabilities.

For more information or to schedule an appointment call the Child Development Center at (908) 788-6396 or Developmental Pediatric Associates at (908) 788-6650.

Special Child Health Services

A resource and referral service for infants, children and adolescents with special multiple health needs or handicapping conditions.

The services of the case manager are offered at no charge to families. This program is supported by the New Jersey Department of Health, the Hunterdon County Department of Human Services and Hunterdon Medical Center.

Request a copy of the quarterly newsletter "Special Child Health Services and Early Intervention"

For more information on Special Child Health Services, contact Susan Freedman at (908) 788-6399.

Pediatric Rehabilitation/Therapeutic Services

Individual or small group and occupational therapy are available for children and adolescents. Physical therapy also may be provided. Services are provided for a variety of speech-language impairments or delays as well as for fine or gross motor problems.

Child Study Team

Provides comprehensive evaluations for children and adolescents, ages 3-21, with school-related problems.

Professionals involved in providing these services may include:

  • program coordinator
  • developmental pediatrician
  • speech-language pathologist
  • occupational therapist
  • social worker
  • audiologist
  • psychologist
  • learning disabilities teacher consultant

For more information or to make an appointment, call (908) 788-6396.

See ‘N’ Say Speech-Language Development Program

A group language program for pre-school age children who have speech and/or language delays. The staff consists of a preschool teacher and speech-language pathologist. Individual goals are established according to each child’s communication needs.

For more information call (908) 788-6424.

Pediatric Hearing Services

A full range of hearing testing for children and adolescents is available. The testing conducted by audiologists includes:

  • hearing screenings
  • complete hearing evaluations
  • hearing aid fitting
  • central auditory processing testing

For more information call (908) 788-6424.

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