Sandhyaa S. Iyengar, MD, MPH

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Sandhyaa S. Iyengar, MD, MPH, is an attending physician with the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. 

Areas of Expertise: Autism spectrum disorder, Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Developmental delays, Global developmental delay, Intellectual disability, Genetic syndromes, Supporting families with exposure to adverse childhood experience
Locations: Main Hospital

Appointments and Referrals: 1-800-TRY-CHOP (1-800-879-2467)

Background

Sandhyaa S. Iyengar, MD, MPH, is a board-certified pediatrician and an attending physician with the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She specializes in treating children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), developmental delays and intellectual disabilities.

Her interest in developmental and behavioral pediatrics stems from a desire to “understand the ‘big picture’ of a child,” she says. “We take into consideration all their strengths and challenges, so that we can help each child achieve their best potential. It is so rewarding!”

Dr. Iyengar says she hopes all families who come to CHOP understand that everyone is invested in making sure they have a positive experience. “We try our best to take every measure possible to make sure your child is comfortable and your story is heard, and we partner with you for the best care for your child,” she says.

Education and experience

Dr. Iyengar received her medical degree from St. George’s University, Grenada, and completed a residency in Pediatrics at Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York. She has also completed additional training at CHOP, including fellowships in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. She also holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Dr. Iyengar currently serves on the State Interagency Coordinating Council for the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning as well as the Health Services Advisory Committee for Early Head Start. In addition, she has authored over a dozen papers and presentations and received a number of awards for her work.  Dr. Iyengar is also actively involved with the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Research

In addition to her state- and national-level advocacy efforts regarding early childhood development, Dr. Iyengar’s research revolves around four topics: quality improvement, helping primary care doctors screen for developmental conditions, promoting healthy lifestyles for children with ASD, and learning about the impact of adverse childhood experiences on development.

Those interests are born from her desire to help patients and their families get the support they need to help each child reach his or her full potential. “My passion is in early childhood development. Interventions that occur in the first few years of a child’s life have the opportunity to make the biggest impact on a child’s trajectory,” she says.

Dr. Iyengar is excited to see how the specialty is evolving. “I love how Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics is becoming integrated with other specialties throughout the hospital. There is a growing understanding about the importance of optimizing a child's development in the context of their chronic medical conditions,” she says.

Education and Training

Medical School

Doctorate in Medicine - St. George’s University, Grenada

Residency

Pediatrics - Albany Medical Center, New York, NY

Fellowship

Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics - Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities - Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Board Certification

Pediatrics – American Board of Pediatrics

Graduate Degree

Master of Public Health - University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Titles and Academic Titles

Attending Physician

Departments and Services

Publications

Posters and Presentations

2019

Iyengar S. Association Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Receipt of Interventions in Children with Neurodevelopmental Concerns. Maternal Child Health Bureau Annual Meeting of LEND Programs, Platform Presentation: Apr 2019.

Iyengar SS. Crossroads of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Developmental Disabilities. Center for Injury Research and Prevention Violence Prevention Initiative at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, international webinar: Mar 2019.

Fleming, K., Iyengar, S., Dunn, S., Ellzey, A., Featherston, M., Kruger, H. Using Active Learning to Improve Resident Engagement in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Rotation. Interprofessional Education Symposium at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Poster Presentation: Jan 2019.

2018

Iyengar, S., Mehari, K., Berg, K., and Bennett, A. Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Children with Developmental Delays: Relations to Diagnoses, Behavioral Health, and Clinical Severity. American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition, Poster Presentation. Orlando: Nov 2018.

Iyengar, S., Mehari, K., Berg, K., and Bennett, A. Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Children with Developmental Delays: Relations to Diagnoses, Behavioral Health, and Clinical Severity. Association of University Centers on Disabilities National Conference, Poster Presentation. Washington DC: Nov 2018.

Iyengar SS. Perspectives on Providing Care to Children with Undocumented Status with Special Health Needs. Association of University Centers on Disabilities National Conference, Platform Presentation. Washington DC: Nov 2018.

Iyengar, S., Mehari, K., Berg, K., and Bennett, A. Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Children with Developmental Delays: Relations to Diagnoses, Behavioral Health, and Clinical Severity. Society of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Annual Meeting, Poster Presentation. Anaheim: Sept 2018.

Iyengar SS. Children, Families and Trauma: Empowering Public Library Staff to Engage in Public Health. Healthy Library Initiative at Northeast Regional Free Library of Philadelphia, Educational Presentation: July 2018.

Iyengar SS. Mental Health: Empowering Public Library Staff to Engage in Public Health. Healthy Library Initiative at Northeast Regional Free Library of Philadelphia, Educational Presentation: July 2018.

Gonzales, J, Mehari, K. and Iyengar, S. Family Contextual Stressors for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. Society for Prevention Research Annual Meeting, Platform Presentation. Washington DC: June 2018.

Iyengar, S., Fleming, K., Dunn, S., and Levy, S. Increasing Monitoring and Management of Side Effects of Atypical Antipsychotics in Children with Developmental Disabilities. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Quality and Safety Day, Poster Presentation. Philadelphia: May 2018.

Iyengar SS. Impact of Environmental Exposure on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons on Child Development. University of Pennsylvania, Environmental Health Presentation: May 2018.

2017

Iyengar, S. and Siegel, A. Plan to Succeed in Transition to Adulthood: An Organizational Toolkit for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Their Families. Association of University Centers on Disabilities National Conference, Poster Presentation. Washington DC: Nov 2017.

Iyengar SS. How Your Biography Affects Your Biology. Association of University Centers on Disabilities National Conference, Platform Presentation. Washington DC: Nov 2017.

Iyengar, S., Fein, L., Siegel, A., and Trachtenberg, S. Transition to Adulthood for Individuals with Trisomy 21. Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Research Symposium, Poster Presentation. Philadelphia: May 2017.

Awards and Honors

2018, Fostering Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Collaboration Grant, American Academy of Pediatrics State Chapter
2017, Research Scholars symposium, Society of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
2017, Disability Policy Seminar scholarship, Association of University Centers on Disabilities
2016, Legislative Advocacy Conference scholarship, American Academy of Pediatrics
2015, National ‘America Graduates’ Champion for Early Childhood, WHMT-Public Broadcasting Station Feature

Editorial and Academic Positions

Academic and Institutional Committees

2018-present, State Interagency Coordinating Council, Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning
2018-present, Health Services Advisory Committee, Early Head Start

Leadership and Memberships

Memberships in Professional Organizations

2018-present, American Public Health Association
2017-present, Society for Prevention Research
2013-present, American Academy of Pediatrics
 - 2017-present, Leadership Council, District III Representative
2013-present, American Medical Association
2015-present, Society of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
 - 2017-2018, Communications Committee Member