2025 Annual Report

PROGRAMS

DEVELOPMENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL PEDIATRICS: NEW PROGRAMS

The UAB Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics launched two new specialty programs in 2025: the Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Program and the Lifespan Down Syndrome Program. The PCIT Program is part of the division’s Behavioral Intervention Clinic, which provides family-focused behavioral interventions for young children exhibiting disruptive or oppositional behaviors. The clinic offers PCIT for children ages 2 to 6 and their caregivers— an evidence-based parent training model proven to improve child behavior, strengthen family relationships, and establish healthier patterns of interaction. Sarah Olivas, Psy.D., and Brandi Ellis, Ph.D., both certified through PCIT International, are completing their Within Agency Trainer certifications to expand local training capacity and ensure long-term program sustainability. Functioning one day per week, the clinic also serves as a training site for psychology and behavioral health trainees seeking supervised hours toward

medical, developmental, and social supports to improve quality of life for both children and adults, coordinating multiple specialists and community resources to address both immediate and long-term care needs. Operating as a collaborative care model, the program partners with patients’ community physicians to ensure continuity of care is aligned with national best practices. UAB Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (CEDD) faculty, staff, and trainees serve as clinicians and steering committee members, contributing to the program’s interdisciplinary structure and statewide impact. The pediatric clinic, held two half days per month (now expanding to three sessions due to growing demand), has already recorded 104 pediatric visits and 438 interdisciplinary encounters, underscoring its success in delivering holistic, coordinated, and compassionate care for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. ●

167 patient encounters since the program’s inception

certification, and to date has completed 167 patient encounters, reflecting its growing impact on family centered behavioral care.

Led by Snehal Khatri, M.D., the Lifespan Down Syndrome Program at UAB Medicine represents a groundbreaking initiative providing comprehensive, personalized care across the lifespan for individuals with Down syndrome. This innovative program integrates

53

2025 ACADEMIC ANNUAL REPORT