Child Study Center Diagnoses and Treats Children with Developmental Disabilities

A large percentage of children served at Child Study Center are medically covered through public assistance (Medicaid or CHIP) which generally pays only 40 percent of the total costs. Families of children who do not have health insurance coverage are encouraged to apply to make sliding scale payments—generally 25-50 percent of the total. It is important to note here that Texas ranks 51st among states and the District of Columbia in the percentage of children with health insurance. Once all other forms of reimbursement have been exhausted, the Children’s Care Fund helps cover costs of services provided for both the uninsured and underinsured. This fund is essential for the Child Study Center to continue to meet its goal of bringing potential to light for all children who need our help. All funds from this grant request will go directly toward patient care.

For 48 years, Child Study Center has offered children and families a facility where physicians, therapists and other clinicians can evaluate, treat, and manage over 130 disabilities under one roof. The Center is truly a revolutionary concept, and its successful realization has served as the paradigm for many similar facilities.

The staff of the Child Study Center knows the importance of intervention for children with developmental differences. While no two children are alike, approximately 80 babies are born each day in Tarrant County alone. For those families, this is an exciting day—one they have been looking forward to for several months. Yes, their new baby has finally arrived. Fortunately, most will grow and develop normally. However, the lives of at least 15 percent will be affected by developmental disabilities of some sort.

Developmental disability is a broad term that includes everything from intellectual disabilities; genetic abnormalities; vision, speech and hearing problems; orthopedic problems; and severe learning problems such as dyslexia and attention deficit disorders. Any baby can be affected, developmental disabilities strike all income and ethnicity levels equally. Children who reach their full potential are more likely to adapt and succeed in life. Those children who do not receive treatment for their disabilities are at high risk of school failure and other serious life problems.