Our last meeting before the summer break began with Baystate Health’s Child Behavior Health therapists. This out-patient service is located at 3300 Main Street. The group can be contacted for general inquiries at (413)794-1038. Full interpreter services are available.

Sarah Detenber, Vicki Weld, and Sara Wiener spoke at the meeting. The staff includes psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical prescribers, and licensed independent clinical social workers. A strong part of their mission is to provide care for children and families with special health care needs. This care includes the child, parent, couple, family, and siblings. They accept referrals from specialists and primary care providers.

The group works with neurology, rheumatology, and the pediatric pain clinic. In addition, the group works with a hyperacusis group when indicated. They offer an eight-week cognitive-behavioral therapy program with rheumatology and occupational therapy, a multidisciplinary eating disorder clinic, and a medical coping clinic that sees children with new diagnoses. They have also referred families to Brain Balance Achievement Centers, The May Institute, and Autism Intervention Specialists.

Diagnoses they have worked with:

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Anxiety disorders

Patient types they have worked with:

Young children

Non-verbal and augmented communication capable

Autistic children

Children with cerebral palsy

Overweight children in the Mighty Program

The second presenter was Tina Champagne from the CHD Institute for Dynamic Living located at 342 Bernie Ave, Springfield. The program covers behavioral health and occupational health for ages three and up, but their focus is three to five years of age. Common diagnoses include learning disabilities, trauma, autism, and a need for applied behavioral analysis services. Many of the children in the program have needs that complicate their occupational therapy treatment plans. This program deals with these issues to provide customized treatment for the children. The program is expanding and now they offer a large sensory gym and have an onsite psychiatrist that is available for consultations. They do not have an accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, but are working on it to help expand insurance coverage. They currently accept most insurance.

To schedule an appointment ask for Tina’s program at (413)737-1426.