BJH: Tell us a little about yourself and how you entered the world of developmental pediatrics.

Dr. Richter: I grew up in Brooklyn, and life later took us to Lakewood, Israel, and Baltimore. My work with children with special needs began in high school, when friends and I launched a local bnos program for them. I later earned a master's degree in special education, served as assistant director of a self-contained special education program, and provided ABA and direct behavioral support to children.

I attended medical school at Sackler/Tel Aviv University and completed my pediatric residency at Johns Hopkins. A rotation at Kennedy Krieger Institute led to an invitation to help develop a new autism diagnostic program, bringing together my backgrounds in special education and medicine. I spent the past six years at Kennedy Krieger's Center for Autism Services, Science and Innovation.

BJH: What was unique about the diagnostic program you helped create?

Dr. Richter: Under the mentorship of pediatric neurologists Dr. Jim Rubenstein and Dr. Connie Smith-Hicks, we developed what began as a triage clinic and became the Early Autism Diagnosis Program.

The goal was to shorten the wait for evaluation. Instead of spending several days seeing multiple specialists, a child could receive a comprehensive evaluation from one clinician in a single visit. The program grew to include physicians, nurse practitioners, and psychologists, so more children were evaluated sooner.

I now bring that experience to my own practice, Gemstone Development, where I provide diagnostic developmental evaluations for young children, with a focus on autism.

BJH: What might lead a parent to seek a developmental evaluation?

Dr. Richter: Parents may notice that their child is not speaking, communicates unusually, or struggles to connect. Other signs include intense tantrums, repetitive behaviors, inconsistent responses to their name, or seeming to be "in their own world." Verbally fluent children who struggle with social engagement or show behavioral rigidity may also be evaluated for autism. Evaluations can address ADHD and other developmental delays as well.

The visit is not simply about giving a child a label. I play with the child and observe how they relate to people and their environment. Together with the parents, and with input from the child's educators, I try to understand how this child experiences the world.

For children who are really struggling, a diagnosis can help the family understand their child's differences and challenges, and it can open the door to insurance coverage for supportive services. The goal is a practical plan that helps the child communicate, learn, participate, and thrive.

BJH: Why is understanding the individual child so important?

Dr. Richter: Autism presents differently in every child. A quick evaluation may grant access to services, but parents need more than a piece of paper. They need to understand what autism means for their child and which interventions fit.

One common challenge is engagement. A child may play quietly at the side of a classroom without truly participating or learning from what happens around them. Language and learning are then delayed, not because the child is incapable, but because they are not sufficiently tuned in. Our job is to strengthen that engagement, build communication, and help the child become part of the social and learning environment.

BJH: How does Gemstone ABA build on that philosophy?

Dr. Richter: Gemstone ABA was created to provide developmentally appropriate, genuinely child-centered ABA services. Families have many providers to choose from, but few programs where the child's wellbeing and development drive every decision.

We ask, "What does this child really need?" and "How can this child's functioning be optimized?" We work with families to identify the best setting for support, whether a center, daycare, or preschool, and offer home-based sessions to support parents. The child's strengths, challenges, age, and family circumstances all shape that choice.

Our aim is not merely to place a shadow beside a child so they can remain in school. We want the child to participate meaningfully in their natural environment, develop skills, connect with others, and grow. Our team combines developmental pediatric expertise with clinical psychologist Dr. Jonathan Musman and expert BCBAs.

BJH: How do you work with Baltimore's Jewish schools?

Dr. Richter: Through my work at Kennedy Krieger, I have developed strong relationships with many local schools. Before an evaluation, we gather information about the child's classroom functioning so we understand both the family's and the school's perspectives. Afterward, we help identify appropriate supports, which may include ABA and other services.

Parents, schools, pediatricians, and therapists each see a different part of the child. When everyone communicates, the child has the best chance to succeed.

BJH: What would you tell parents who are worried their child may have autism?

Dr. Richter: It is understandable to feel overwhelmed. It is hard to sense that something may be different about your child and not know what it means or what to do next. But parents do not have to navigate that uncertainty alone.

We are here to listen, meet the child and family, and help determine next steps. Families unsure whether an evaluation is needed can start with a phone consultation. Those who already have a diagnosis but are unsure whether ABA would help can also reach out.

Early clarity helps enormously. A diagnosis does not define a child. It gives information and direction that help us recognize the child's strengths, address the challenges, and build a path forward with confidence and hope.

BJH: How can families get in touch?

Dr. Richter: For developmental evaluations through Gemstone Development, email [email protected] or visit gemstonedev.com. For ABA and related services through Gemstone ABA, email [email protected] or visit gemstoneaba.com.