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St. Luke's Children's Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

At St. Luke's Children's Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, we're dedicated to the care of children with disorders that affect development, behavior, and learning. If you're concerned about your child’s development, our team of trained and experienced clinicians will work with you to discover your child’s strengths and struggles, develop a treatment plan, and connect you with community resources that will help your child reach their potential.

We are passionate about the worth of every child, their unique purpose in life, and future happiness; and we're committed to providing excellent care and service to each child and family who invests their trust in us. We'll partner with you and your child's primary care provider to offer guidance and encouragement as we all cheer every improvement your child experiences.

We serve children from infancy to 18 years of age.

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If you have a medical emergency, do not use online scheduling. Call 911 or proceed to your nearest emergency department. If you require immediate assistance for a non-emergency condition, please contact the clinic directly by phone.

Providers

  • Emily A. Ballantyne, LMSW

    Behavioral Health

    Biography

    Emma Ballantyne, LMSW has worked in community mental health and in advocacy work for caregivers, and has a special interest in working with families and individuals with chronic disease, working to improve the mental health of both the individual and the systems supporting them. Additionally, she has a special interest in trauma work, relational counseling and advocacy work. She is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, motivational interviewing, and strengths-based perspectives.

    Emma earned her bachelor's degree in communications and her master's degree in social work both from Boise State University.

    Emma’s interests include aerial arts, gardening, yoga, and enjoying the outdoors that living in the Treasure Valley allows.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     

  • Kari K. Benton, LCSW

    Pediatric Behavioral Health

    Biography

    Kari Benton, LCSW is a behavioral health consultant, providing education to patients and families about the connection between mental and physical health. She is passionate about providing therapy services and resources to children, teenagers and families, with a focus on attachment and improving communication in family systems. Her primary modalities include play therapy, cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapies and solution focused therapy.

    Kari earned her bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in conflict resolution from California State University, Chico, before earning her master’s degree in social work.

    In her free time, Kari can be found reading, swimming, and spending time with her family and their bulldogs.

  • Amy K. Francis, DO

    Developmental Pediatrics

    Biography

    Amy Francis, DO, FAAP specializes in the comprehensive care of children with neurodevelopmental differences. Her primary clinical activities involve the evaluation and care of children with autism spectrum disorder, developmental delays, intellectual disability, speech and language disorders, learning disabilities, ADHD, and behavioral concerns. She has a special interest in early identification and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in toddlers.

    Dr. Francis enjoys practicing medicine in a multidisciplinary setting where providers, nurses, and therapists work together as a team to optimize care and help children with special health care needs thrive. She is also committed to teaching medical students and residents to ensure they receive an appropriate education in pediatric development.

    While serving as a developmental and behavioral pediatrician at Advocate Children’s Hospital, Dr. Francis was appointed as the site director for resident and fellow education in developmental pediatrics. She has received awards for excellence in teaching and mentorship. She also serves on the Education Committee for the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     

  • Travis P. Haase, LCPC

    Pediatric Behavioral Health

    Biography

    Travis Haase, LCPC has professional interest in organic processing of behaviors and the development of chronic mental illness. He has clinical experience with individuals struggling with mental health disorders including, but not limited to, depression, mood disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, pragmatic communication disorder, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety, adjustment disorder, and psychotic disorders.

    Travis also has experience in grief counseling and crisis management, with further education in cognitive behavioral therapy, desensitization, relaxation, and behavioral modification.

    Travis earned his bachelor's degree in psychology at the University of Idaho and his master’s degree at Walden University. 

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     

  • Colby J. Hammer, LCPC

    Pediatric Behavioral Health

    Biography

    Colby Hammer, LCPC earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology at Western Oregon University and his master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at George Fox University. He has additional training in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, substance abuse, psychosis, and autism. He has a wide range of clinical experience with all ages in outpatient settings and with adolescents in residential treatment.

    Colby's primary interest is in building relationships with kids and families to help them gain the skills they need for lasting improvement. He believes connecting with clients and families is the most important part of therapy and he works hard to individually tailor his methods and approach. The primary methods of counseling he uses are cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, collaborative problem solving, and feedback-informed treatment.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     

  • Elena T. Harlan Drewel, PHD

    Pediatric Neuropsychology

    Biography

    Elena Harlan Drewel, PhD is a pediatric neuropsychologist at St. Luke's Children's Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. She conducts diagnostic and treatment planning evaluations for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and is also a member of a multidisciplinary autism diagnostic team. 

    In addition, Dr. Harlan provides neuropsychological evaluation and consultation for children and adolescents who have spina-bifida myelomeningocele and specializes in the evaluation of preschool aged children who present with a variety of behavioral, emotional, and developmental concerns.

    Dr. Harlan earned her doctoral degree in clinical psychology (child emphasis) at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at the University of California-Los Angeles; and her post-doctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
  • Kim C. Knudson, DO

    Kim C. Knudson, DO

    Pediatric Behavioral Health

    Biography

    Kim Knudson, DO, MBA is a child and adolescent psychiatrist with experience caring for patients through all life stages and development. He specializes in the treatment of children and adolescents with developmental disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, trauma, and other disruptive behaviors. He maintains specific interest in working with transitional age youth, in addition to autism spectrum, obsessive-compulsive, and Tourette’s disorders.  Dr. Knudson uses a patient-centered approach to promote self-advocacy in the decision-making process for interventions and treatment.

    Dr. Knudson has a strong interest in education and teaching. He enjoys working with students and residents/fellows to further cultivate their knowledge and expertise in the field. He is also passionate about mental health advocacy on the local, state and national levels, particularly as it relates to access to care, evidence-based treatment, and the interface between medicine and the law. 

    Prior to his medical education, Dr. Knudson earned his bachelor's degree from Idaho State University, and his master's degree in business administration from Lincoln Memorial University. During his medical training, he served as chief fellow and had opportunity to present various posters and workshops at both the local and national level. In his free time, Dr. Knudson enjoys spending time playing and watching sports, leisure reading, and exploring/traveling with his wife and children.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     

  • Elsa J. Lee, MD

    Pediatrics

    Biography

    Elsa Lee, MD, FAAP is a general pediatrician who cares for children from birth through adolescence. While she enjoys all facets of pediatric care, she has additional interest, based on personal experience, in breastfeeding and infant and toddler food allergies. She enjoys discussing parenting books, commiserating about excessive screen time and helping families make informed decisions about the health care needs of their child.

    After completing her internship and residency at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Dr. Lee spent three years in Chinle, Arizona, working for the Indian Health Service. Since moving to Idaho, Dr. Lee has served as the physician coordinator for WIC, the breastfeeding champion for the Idaho AAP, and the social media presence for Treasure Valley Pediatrics in addition to a variety of administrative roles for St. Luke’s Children's pediatrics.

    In her free time, Dr. Lee can be found in the great outdoors, often with her husband, their two teenagers and the family dog. If the trails are too muddy, she’ll be at home reading, cooking or knitting.

    Dr. Lee covers on-call and weekend clinics for St. Luke’s Children's Treasure Valley Pediatrics.

    • St. Luke's Health Partner
      St. Luke's Health Partner

      These providers work together to achieve patient-centered care, using proven best practices to offer better care to you and your family.

      see full profile

    • Specialties, Conditions & Treatments

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  • Kendra A. Lindeman, DNP

    Developmental Pediatrics

    Biography

    Kendra Lindeman APRN, DNP is a pediatric nurse practitioner working with a strong multidisciplinary team focused on promoting quality of life for children and their families. 

    Kendra grew up in eastern Washington and obtained her bachelor's degree in nursing from Washington State University and her doctor of nursing practice degree from the University of Washington. Her past work experience as a nurse practitioner includes an advance practice provider fellowship at Seattle Children’s Hospital and five years working with the St Luke’s pediatric hospitalist team caring for acutely ill children in the hospital. 

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     

  • Monica H. McCullough, NP

    Developmental Pediatrics

    Biography

    Monica McCullough, MSN, RN, CPNP is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and has served in a variety of nursing, educational, and leadership roles. She specializes in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other neurodevelopmental and behavioral mental health conditions. She is passionate about supporting quality of life for families with a child/children with an autism spectrum disorder and helping these children enter adulthood with a strong sense of self-worth.

    Monica earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Delaware and her first master's degree in child and adolescent mental health nursing from the University of Pennsylvania and her second master's degree in pediatric primary care nursing, nurse practitioner from Gwynedd Mercy College.

    In her free time, Monica enjoys traveling with her family, gardening, and hunting for antique and flea market treasures.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     

  • Dawn D. Orchard, NP

    Developmental Pediatrics

    Biography

    Dawn Orchard, NP, CPNP-PC is board certified in pediatrics. She earned bachelor's degrees in nursing from Idaho State University and anthropology from Gannon University. She earned her doctoral degree in nursing practice from the University of Utah, where she also completed her residency. 

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     

Conditions

  • Autism

    A brain disorder that often makes it hard to communicate with and relate to others.

  • Adaptive Functioning

    Adaptive functioning or behaviors are the conceptual, social, and practical skills we all need to function in our daily lives.

  • ADHD

    A condition in which a person has trouble paying attention, tends to act without thinking, and has trouble sitting still.

  • Anxiety in Children

    Worries or fears that cause significant distress and interfere with usual activities.

  • Learning Disorders

    Specific learning disorders indicate an individual has difficulty learning a specific academic skill and isn't learning at the expected age level.

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With MyChart, you’re able to view test results, contact your provider, request medication refills, schedule appointments and more. We encourage you to sign up for easy access to the tools and information you need to proactively manage your health. You can also set up online proxy access requests for medical records of children, spouses, or dependents.


There's also an easy-to-use MyChart app available for your mobile devices!

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Protect Your Health

Your Partner in Health.

People are at the heart of great health care. That's why we are committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality care tailored to the communities we serve. 


Together with our community partners and patients, we're building a stronger, healthier future for all Idahoans.

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Contact Us In Boise (208) 381-2222