Maria J. Avitia, PhD

Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Psychologist

Dr. Maria J. Avitia is an Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Psychologist in Kansas City, MO with special training and skill in diagnosing and treating intellectual and developmental disabilities in children and adults. As an Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Psychologist, Maria J. Avitia, PhD performs assessment, diagnosis and treatment for developmentally challenged patients. Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Psychology is a medical specialty focused on study, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of any developmental disability. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Psychologists include intellectual disability, learning disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, fragile X syndrome, kernicterus, language and speech disorders, muscular dystrophy, Tourette syndrome, vision impairment, and hearing loss. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Psychologists include diagnostic assessments followed by: physical treatments, environmental manipulation, family/systemic therapies, cognitive-behavioral modification, and psychodynamic therapies.

Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychologist

Dr. Maria J. Avitia is a Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychologist in Kansas City, MO with special training and skill in diagnosing and treating mental disorders that affect young patients. As a Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychologist, Maria J. Avitia, PhD performs psychological assessment, therapy, and research regarding abnormal childhood mental health. Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology is medical specialty focused on diagnosing, treating, and researching childhood mental disorders. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychologists include autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit disorder (ADD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, eating disorders, and learning disabilities. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychologists include mental health assessment, parent and child education, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), play therapy, psychotherapy, and referral to other medical specialists as needed.

A psychologist who develops and applies scientific knowledge to the delivery of psychological services to infants, toddlers, children and adolescents within their social context. Of particular importance to the specialty of clinical child psychology is an understanding of the basic psychological needs of children and adolescents, and how the family and other social contexts influence the socio-emotional adjustment, cognitive development, behavioral adaptation and health status of children and adolescents.