The Division of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics and Psychology at UH Rainbow Features a Range of Services

UH Clinical Update | August 2025

Treating children and teens with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other neurodevelopmental conditions is a mainstay of the Division of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics and Psychology at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. An additional important focus: Providing support and psychotherapy for pediatric patients living with chronic medical conditions.

“We work with the endocrinology team, the craniofacial team and a variety of others to help patients with their adjustment to their chronic illness or other issues that come up over the course of treatment,” says Rebecca Hazen, PhD, Division Chief.

As an example, Carolyn Ievers-Landis, PhD, DBSM, is a licensed clinical psychologist with her Diplomate in Behavioral Sleep Medicine who specializes predominantly in pediatric sleep disorders, including insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, hypersomnia and nightmare disorders. She treats infants as young as 6 months old with difficulty sleeping and uses cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and other cognitive behavioral strategies to optimize the sleep of children, adolescents and young adults. Dr. Ievers-Landis is available throughout northeast Ohio and sees patients at UH Westlake, UH Medina, UH Landerbrook, and UH Broadview Heights health centers. She is currently accepting new patients.

What does behavioral therapy entail to treat sleep disorders for an infant, child, or teen?

“Therapy for behavioral sleep disorders depends on the symptoms and the age of the patient,” Dr. Ievers-Landis says. “Most of my patients present with difficulty falling asleep that causes them and their family a lot of distress.” Dr. Ievers-Landis noted that using elements of CBT-I, she first makes certain that her child patients’ opportunity for sleep matches their biological need for sleep. Dr. Ievers-Landis also addresses negative thoughts about sleep, anxiety at bedtime, and conflict with parents or caregivers regarding sleep behaviors. She uses multiple behavioral strategies and tools to optimize sleep, including working toward higher sleep efficiency and more regular sleep wake-up times on week days and weekends. “I also specialize in imagery rehearsal therapy, which is a very effective strategy to reduce and even eliminate bad dreams or nightmares,” she says.

Another specialized service within the Division of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics and Psychology is ASD evaluations for older children and adolescents.

“Sometimes people don't know that our neuropsychologists assess older children and adolescents,” Dr. Hazen says. “Sometimes they think of us as assessing only younger children. But we actually do assess all the way through adolescence.”

“Some older children and adolescents have just never been diagnosed,” she adds. “Some are pretty high-functioning. They may be able to function well in school. However, the social difficulties associated with autism may become more apparent as they get older. Sometimes it comes to a point where we realize that there may be more to some of the difficulties they are having. ADHD and anxiety are common in children with autism. Sometimes those two have been recognized, but then the autism concerns may not have been.”

To serve pediatric patients who have been exposed to alcohol or substances in utero, the Division also offers a specialized clinic, staffed by Rachel Tangen, PhD, a clinical neuropsychologist, and Denise Bothe, MD, developmental and behavioral pediatrician.

“In the case of prenatal alcohol exposure and evaluation for a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, there are very specific aspects to assess, including facial features and cognitive profiles,” Dr. Hazen says. “Learning issues and behavioral issues also need evaluation. After completion of the assessment, specific recommendations tailored to the child are provided to families. This program has grown a lot. We get referrals from throughout Ohio, but internally, people may be less aware.”

With all these specialized services provided by the Division, Dr. Hazen says she’s grateful that more and more pediatricians are diagnosing and treating one of the more common disorders her Division sees – ADHD.

“A lot of children are being treated in their medical home, which is a good thing,” she says. “That enables us to see children who may also have other challenges, such as learning problems or autism.”

She says she and her colleagues are also eager to provide services to children and teens struggling with chronic illness or a serious medical condition.

“If you have a patient with a chronic illness or medical condition who is having trouble coping, or they're not like following their treatment plan, we are open to referrals from really any pediatric medical subspecialist who has concerns,” Dr. Hazen says. “We encourage subspecialists to reach out to us the psychologists directly regarding referrals or questions about referrals.”