Developmental Pediatrics
Taking time to understand
Clinical activities
Each year, we see approximately 1,200 children and youth with a wide variety of neurodevelopmental disorders, including:
- autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- speech/language disorders
- cognitive disorders
- learning disabilities
- syndromes known to be associated with developmental or behavioural difficulties
We provide care primarily in the ambulatory setting, but also do inpatient consultations at the IWK Health Centre.
Teaching activities
Our members are actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, continuing professional development and public education. Some psychologists provide research and clinical supervision to master's and doctoral candidates.
Our aim is to provide each trainee with a better understanding of both typical and atypical development.
We offer elective experiences for medical students and postgraduate trainees from Dalhousie University and other Canadian medical schools.
Research interests
Drs. Smith, Bryson and Filliter are extensively involved in autism-related research.
Dr. Smith holds the Joan and Jack Craig Chair in Autism Research. Her interests encompass:
- the development, health and well-being of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, especially children and youth with ASD
- longitudinal studies of ASD
- development and evaluation of interventions for ASD and associated behavioural and mental health problems
- ASD-related health, education and community services systems and policies
Dr. Filliter is particularly interested in studying how children and adolescents with ASD access and interact with the health care system. Her primary goal is to develop system-, provider- and patient/family-level interventions that will help to ensure that the needs of youth with ASD are met with in our health care system.
Our physician members participate in clinical research with interests in ASD, ADHD, psychopharmacology and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Our people
Division members
- Jillian MacCuspie, MD, FRCPC assistant professor (Division Head)
- Sarah Shea, MD, FRCPC, professor
- Megan Thomas, MD, FRCP, PhD, associate professor
- Quigley, Erin, MD, FRCPC, assistant professor
- Anna Kubow, MD, FRCPC, assistant professor
- Isabel Smith, MSc, PhD, professor
- Jillian Filliter, PhD, assistant professor
- Ann Hawkins, MD, FRCPC, associate professor (post-retired)
Associate divisional members
- Susan Bryson (post-retired), PhD, professor emerita
- Elizabeth Kay-Raining Bird, PhD, professor
Contact info
Cathy Johnson, administrative assistant
Phone: 902-470-8483
Fax: 902-470-7248
Address:
Division of Developmental Pediatrics
Department of Pediatrics
Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University
IWK Health Centre
5850/5980 University Avenue
PO Box 9700
Halifax, NS B3K 6R8