Four-year-old William Harris has seen nine doctors, undergone several surgeries and spent countless hours receiving therapy. Yet this little guy with bright red hair and an infectious smile has never received a diagnosis of his disability.

“All of his doctors agree there is something wrong, but they just can’t put their finger on it,” said William’s mother, Gena. “The missing puzzle piece we’ve lacked is the developmental behavioral pediatrician.”

Now the family has the missing piece. William is among the first children to see Regina Gargus, MD, FAAP, in the Siskin Children's Institute-T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital Center for Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, where he can be assessed and hopefully diagnosed. The center opened in July inside the Institute’s 1101 Carter Street facility in downtown Chattanooga. The center offers assessment, diagnosis and treatment for children, from newborns to teens, with or at risk for developmental conditions such as autism, learning disorders and cognitive impairments—disabilities that have a higher occurrence in Tennessee than the national average.

In addition to the developmental behavioral pediatrician, the center will offer the services of a number of medical professionals, including a pediatric psychologist, advanced nurse practitioner, licensed practical nurse, speech and language pathologist, pediatric occupational therapist and pediatric physical therapist.

“This center gives us more hope than ever,” Gena said. “If we can get an official diagnosis, we can get William the appropriate intervention, and that will make his future even brighter.”

William is not alone. A recent study by the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services found that 16.4 percent of children in Tennessee have a special need that requires services of a pediatrician with developmental sub-specialty training. The national average is 13.9 percent.

Early detection of a developmental delay or disorder is critical, says Dr. Gargus. “Identifying these conditions as early as possible improves their long-term outcomes,” she says. “The sooner a child is diagnosed, the sooner we can intervene to help.”

Families of pediatric patients will have access to support and counseling services provided by the Siskin Outreach and Resource Center, which is adjacent to the pediatric center. The outreach center features a library with more than 6,000 resources about disabilities and parenting and a Family Support program offering free assistance to families. “Beyond the diagnosis, families need information about their child’s conditions,” Dr. Gargus says. “They can visit our outreach center for advice and several other resources. This outreach service makes our pediatric center very unique compared to practices across the country.”

Despite the need for this sub-specialty health care, developmental behavioral centers typically struggle financially due to low reimbursement rates from insurance companies. As a result, the center will rely on fundraising to overcome anticipated budget shortfalls each year.

“We began this project knowing that we would be operating at a deficit each year,” says Jerry Jensen, president and CEO of the Institute. “But this is an investment for families throughout the region who need this critical service.”

One way to support the pediatric center is through the Institute's 365 Club, our annual giving fund that provides financial support to help the Institute make life better for children of all abilities and their families.

Terri Woodruff, nurse practitioner
in the developmental behavioral
pediatric center, works with
William during an appointment.

 William plays in the center's art therapy room.

Chad and Gena Harris play with William
at Siskin Children's Institute. William attends Siskin Early Learning Center-Downtown three days a week in an integrated classroom with children with disabilities and typically developing children.