Evergreen Child Development Center Opening this Summer
Dr. Iris Silverstein will return to our community to lead the program
May 8, 2008
In just a few short months, Evergreen Behavioral Services (EBS) and Franklin Community Health Network (FCHN) will open the Evergreen Child Development Center, a new medical program to help children with special needs and their families.
The Evergreen Child Development Center will open in August at the Mt. Blue Health Center next to Franklin Memorial Hospital. The Center will be a part of EBS, and affiliated with Franklin Memorial Hospital and the Child Development Program of the Barbara Bush Center at Maine Medical Center. This new program will promote the optimal development and abilities of children and adolescents with a wide range of developmental and behavioral concerns
including: autism, autism spectrum disorders, Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD, and difficulties with learning and school performance.
Dr. Iris Silverstein, a pediatrician who is board-certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics with additional board certification in developmental-behavioral pediatrics, will lead the program. Dr. Silverstein already has a respected history in this community as a pediatrician who practiced in Farmington at Pine Tree Pediatrics and at Franklin Memorial Hospital for more than fifteen years.
In 2004, Dr. Silverstein left the area to pursue full time work in developmental-behavioral pediatrics. She worked at the Developmental Medicine Center at Children's Hospital Boston and presently works as a developmental-behavioral pediatrician in the LADDERS program (Learning and Developmental Disabilities Evaluation & Rehabilitation Services) of the nationally renowned MassGeneral Hospital for Children in Boston.
"Dr. Silverstein will bring exceptional medical knowledge and skills in developmental pediatrics to this area," said Richard Batt, FCHN President. "Pediatric developmental medicine is one of the greatest shortage areas of
medical specialists in the country, so we are truly lucky to gain this service in our community, and we are extremely fortunate to welcome Dr. Silverstein back to Maine."
According to Batt, there is a huge unmet need for medical diagnostic and treatment services for children with special needs in our communities. More than 800 children in Greater Franklin County have special needs. Developmental disabilities, learning difficulties, attention deficit disorder, and behavioral concerns affect at least 20% of children and adolescents. On average, 1 in every 150 children born develops an autism spectrum disorder.
The Evergreen Child Development Center will provide an important and needed service for this large and growing vulnerable population. Although appointments are not yet being made for the program, interested physicians and families can call Evergreen Behavioral Services at 778-0035 or 1-800-394-1900 for more information or to pre-register.
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