UF Health Early Developmental Assessment Clinic

The Early Developmental Assessment Clinic, or EDAC, is a neurodevelopmental clinic in the University of Florida Division of Pediatric Neurology. This is a multidisciplinary clinic that includes providers from neurology, neonatology and pediatric rehabilitation.

Children who have spent time in the neonatal intensive care unit, have undergone cardiac surgery or have been hospitalized for long periods of time may be at risk for developmental delays.

An infant’s brain is constantly growing and learning. An injured brain may need additional interventions and therapies to help it learn during the little one’s early months of life. There is a window of opportunity for an injured or at-risk brain to rewire and overcome an injury. This “neuroplasticity” stays with you throughout your life. However, the early childhood years are the most crucial. If the brain does not get the input it needs, it can turn off the affected part of the brain. Our clinic is designed to accurately assess and determine if a child shows signs of developmental delays before they become major delays. We can identify and recommend services to help rehabilitate these infants and help optimize a child’s full potential.

EDAC provides a comprehensive evaluation for infants and toddlers up to 36 months of age who are lagging in their developmental milestones. We take referrals from patients identified in any of our UF facilities or by the child’s pediatrician for the following at-risk diagnoses:

• Any child who underwent neonatal or pediatric hypothermia
• Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
• Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis
• Cerebral hemorrhage
• Intraventricular hemorrhage of the newborn
• Neonatal stroke
• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
• Extreme prematurity (24-30 weeks gestational age at birth)
• Congenital heart disease
• Seizures or epilepsy
• Other brain or cardiac issues that place a child at risk for developmental delay
• Traumatic brain injury
• Non-accidental head trauma

Visit times vary from 45 to 90 minutes depending on the age and delay of the child. Our clinic is designed so that you will see all of our team members in one visit. We look at each child’s fine and gross motor development, muscle tone and reflexes, intellectual development, medical history and present medical needs, vision, hearing and psychosocial needs, as well as current and past medications and diet. In addition, we also review all reports and information provided to our staff by the patient’s family or caregivers.

Assessments are sent electronically or via fax to your pediatrician. If you have identified any therapists outside of the UF system that would also like the assessment, we can fax a copy with your permission. After the first visit, follow-up testing is scheduled every six months until the child turns three. Our clinic is every Wednesday morning and the second Monday of each month. If you would like to set up an appointment for assessment or consultation, please call (352) 265-7337.