Career Goal

Developmental pediatric neurologists–formally known as Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NDD) specialists–integrate child neurology and developmental-behavioral pediatrics to understand how brain function shapes a child’s learning, movement, language, behavior, and social development (ABPN, n.d.; AAP, 2024).

They support children whose conditions affect daily functioning in profound ways.

What Developmental Pediatric Neurologists Do

What I Learned Through Shadowing

To understand this work firsthand, I shadowed:

• A pediatrician (Rainbow Pediatric Clinic)
  • Observed triages
  • Assisted with CCMA-certified clinical procedures (vitals, urinalysis, hemoglobin testing)
• A pediatric neurologist (Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta)
  • Shadowed Dr. Moira Black
  • Observed epilepsy management, neurological exams, seizure plans
  • Watched how she used metaphors to explain neural processes to families
  • Heard her describe pediatric neurology as “constantly thinking, constantly adjusting,” and “treating the whole family,” not just the child (Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, n.d.)

Training Pathway (12–14 Years Total)

• Undergraduate degree (4 years) – science/pre-med track (AAMC, 2024)
• Medical school (4 years) – MD or DO (AAMC, 2024)
• Integrated NDD Residency (6 years) (ABPN, n.d.):
  • 2 years general pediatrics
  • 3 years child neurology
  • 1–2 years developmental & behavioral neurology
• Board certification in Child Neurology & Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (ABPN, n.d.)

Workforce Outlook & Salary

• Fewer than 300 certified NDD specialists in the U.S. (CoPS, 2025)
• High demand due to rising prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders
• Growth projection: 5–7% over the next decade (AAMC, 2024; U.S. BLS, 2024)
• Salary range: $250,000–$350,000 (AAMC, 2024; Salary.com, 2025)

Major Challenges in the Field

• Severe workforce shortage → long waitlists and delayed early interventions (AAP, 2024; CoPS, 2025)
• Clinically & emotionally demanding work
  • Caring for children with lifelong complex needs
  • Coordinating across hospitals, schools, and therapy systems (CNS, n.d.; CNF, n.d.)
• Burnout concerns
  • Dr. Black described her “burnout recovery era” from years of 60-hour weeks, holiday calls, and constant cognitive load (Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, n.d.; JAMA Network, 2021)
• Access gaps
  • Rural communities often lack pediatric neurologists altogether
  • Telemedicine helps, but cannot replace full in-person developmental evaluations (AAP, 2024)

Why the Field Still Matters

Despite the challenges, developmental pediatric neurology offers extraordinary impact:

• It is one of the few fields where science, communication, and empathy intersect.
• Specialists get to support children through their most formative years.
• They help families navigate overwhelming medical and developmental systems.
• They directly shape long-term developmental trajectories for children who need it most.