Cardio-developmental Clinic

Founded in 1960 and led by Dr. Omer Bar-Yosef, Child Development Center at the Sheba Medical Center is a leading facility in Israel for diagnosing, treating, training, and researching developmental challenges in children from birth to age 18.

The institute caters to both boys and girls, addressing a broad spectrum of needs. These include movement impairments like cerebral palsy; social-emotional disorders such as autism; challenges in attachment between infants and their parents; behavioural and emotional issues including attention and concentration difficulties, encopresis, selective mutism, as well as problems with sleeping and eating. Furthermore, it provides support for inclusive developmental delays that impact multiple areas and more.
 
The institute's therapy approach is multidisciplinary, bringing together top professionals and expertise from the fields of medicine, psychology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, social work, movement therapy, and nutrition. The institute has a team of more than 100 highly skilled and experienced professionals who are experts in the latest treatment and diagnosis methods and modalities from Israel and around the world. Each year, the institute conducts around 50,000 diagnostic and treatment sessions.

The institute operates a research center which focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of developmental problems in general, and autism in particular, exploring innovative treatment options. This includes cord blood treatment for children with cerebral palsy and autism, alongside innovative multidisciplinary therapeutic methods from various health professions.

The research at the institute explores the relationships between risk factors, treatment methods, and their outcomes by using advanced data analysis techniques based on the institute's child development database, which contains data from nearly 10,000 children. All studies are conducted in accordance with the Helsinki Committee's guidelines, ensuring participants' identities remain confidential and protected.

The institute houses a leading training and learning centre on child development for professionals and families, offering courses, professional training, conferences and seminars, and it operates an online information centre.

The Child Development Center acts as a hub for families, offering a range of therapies for children and their loved ones. Our aim is to help children reach their full potential and become part of the community. We stand by the belief that every child, particularly those with developmental challenges, deserves a chance to thrive.

The goals of the Child Development Center

• Supporting children with disabilities or suspected developmental issues, while seeing the child as part of a family with its own complexity and needs.
• Improving diagnostic and treatment tools for children with developmental disabilities.
• Helping families by providing the tools and knowledge needed to care for their children and maintain their role as a family and social unit.
• Participation in researching and creating tools for preventing, detecting early, and intervening early in developmental disabilities and their causes.
• Training professionals to support families facing developmental disabilities.. 
• Advice for families with typically developing children on how to maximise their child's potential and include individuals with developmental disabilities.