Programs that are staffed by specialists who provide comprehensive care from infancy through young adulthood for individuals with learning disorders; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and associated conditions; autism spectrum disorders; tics, Tourette syndrome, and other habit disorders; regulatory disorders such as sleep disorders, feeding problems, discipline difficulties, complicated toilet-training issues, enuresis (bedwetting), and encopresis (soiling); developmental disabilities; delayed development in speech, language, motor skills and thinking ability; or behavioral and developmental problems that complicate other pediatric chronic illnesses and disabling conditions.

Programs that offer therapist-facilitated collective treatment sessions in which unrelated groups of individuals, couples or families discuss their attitudes, feelings and problems and, with input from other members of the group, attempt to achieve greater self and interpersonal understanding and adjustment and explore solutions to their problems.

Programs that offer personal therapeutic sessions in which the therapist works on a one-to-one basis with clients to help them resolve their mental, emotional or social problems.

Programs that provide emotional support, information and guidance to help people resolve whatever personal or interpersonal difficulties they are experiencing. The counselor can address any issue that is troubling the individual, but does not specialize in the treatment of any particular problem area.

Programs that provide a variety of standardized tests including personality inventories, aptitude tests, intelligence tests, attitude tests, projective measures and affective tests to evaluate the psychosocial functioning of people who may be experiencing mental, emotional or social difficulties. Psychological testing is often a part of a broader psychological assessment, and may be used in differential diagnosis to substantiate that a particular diagnosis is correct.

Individuals who are generally between the ages of 18 and 25 depending on the ages that specific programs use for qualification.

Individuals who are age 13 to 17.

Individuals who are age three to 12.

Very young children from birth to age three.

A severe, chronic disability that is attributable to a cognitive, neurological or physical impairment or a combination of cognitive, neurological and physical impairments; that is manifested during the developmental period (prior to age 22); that is likely to continue indefinitely; and that results in substantial functional limitations in three or more areas of major life activity including self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and economic self-sufficiency.

A developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior, and includes symptoms that impair the individual's ability to function properly in school, work and other areas of life. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is said to be a "developmental disorder" because symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life. Autism is also known as a "spectrum" disorder because there is wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms people experience. People with ASD have difficulty with social communication and interaction (e.g. lack of eye contact, voice tones that sound sing-song or robotic, facial expressions or gestures that don't match what is being said), restricted interests (e.g., intense interest in numbers, details, facts), restrictive/repetitive behavior (e.g., repeating words or phrases, getting upset at changes in routine or sensory input such as light or noise). People with ASD may also experience sleep problems or irritability, but also have many strengths including the ability to learn things in detail and remember information for long periods of time; being strong visual and auditory learners; and excelling in math, science, music or art. But although ASD can be a lifelong disorder and while children who have ASD have difficulty in talking, playing with other children, and relating to others, including their own family, treatment and services can improve their symptoms and ability to function.

Disorders that are characterized by persistent feelings of apprehension, worry, uneasiness or dread the source of which is frequently nonspecific or unknown to the individual which may be accompanied by restlessness, irritability, lack of concentration, difficulty sleeping, increased heart rate, shortness of breath and other physiological symptoms.

Mental disorders that are generally diagnosed in infancy, childhood or adolescence and require treatment prior to the individual reaching adulthood.

A condition that is characterized by a compulsive obsession with food or weight and an inability to accurately perceive one's physical appearance in which the individual may compulsively overeat, engage in eating binges which may or may not be followed by purging, refuse to eat or otherwise use food or the process of eating or not eating in a self-destructive manner.

Disorders that are characterized by disturbances of mood, i.e., a recurrent series of episodes in which the individual suffers from depression, excessive feelings of well-being or a combination of the two.

Long-established and maladaptive personality traits that deviate markedly from the individual's culture; have resulted in significant impairments in personal, social or occupational functioning; or have caused suffering for the person and/or for others.

Disorders that are characterized by psychogenic disturbances including delusions and/or hallucinations that are of such magnitude that there is personality disintegration and loss of contact with reality.

Individuals, usually from infancy through young adulthood, who are ill and are receiving inpatient or outpatient care. Also included are children who have no demonstrable illness but are being investigated for signs of pathology such as altered blood chemical values or physical changes such as asymptomatic cardiovascular abnormalities.