Outreach developmental services to children of patients in treatment for substance abuse

OBJECTIVES: This report describes a model for delivering developmental services to children of patients in treatment for substance abuse. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team provides developmental evaluations of children at a substance abuse treatment clinic. RESULTS: In 3 years of operation, 85% of 117 children completed individualized developmental evaluations. Cognitive limitations were diagnosed in 69%, speech and language impairments in 68%, emotional or behavioral problems in 16%, and medical problems in 83%. Follow-up information on children completing evaluation indicated that 72% of eligible children are receiving services as recommended. CONCLUSIONS: This high-risk population of children of substance-abusing parents can be effectively served by providing developmental services at a substance abuse treatment program.