Behavior Consultations & Management
Raising a child can be challenging. It can be hard to tell a normal emotional response from one that may need treatment. Children can be sad, anxious, irritable, or even physical and it can be normal. They occasionally find it challenging to sit still, pay attention, or interact with others. In most cases, these are just typical developmental phases. Milestone Pediatrics provides office visits to support you and your child, and help make a diagnosis or referral if these things are becoming problematic, though.
How can you tell the difference between challenging behaviors and emotions that are a normal part of growing up and those that are cause for concern? In general, consider seeking help if your child's behavior persists for a few weeks or longer; causes distress for your child or your family; or interferes with your child's functioning at school, at home, or with friends. If your child's behavior is unsafe, or if your child talks about wanting to hurt themselves or someone else, seek help immediately.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Is your child always on the move? Does your child leap without looking? Does your child start everything and finish nothing? Are they distracted by everything and anything? If so, your child may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Nearly everyone shows some of these behaviors at times, but ADHD lasts more than 6 months It affects 3 to 5% of all American children.
The main features of ADHD are
- Inattention
- Hyperactivity
- Impulsivity
No one knows exactly what causes ADHD. It sometimes runs in families, so genetics may be a factor. There may also be environmental factors. A complete evaluation by a trained professional is the only way to know for sure if your child has ADHD. Treatment may include medicine to control symptoms, therapy, or both. Structure at home and at school is important. Parent training may also help.
Autism
Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder, is a broad range of symptoms that affect communication, behavior, and social awareness. It is most often noticed between ages 1 and 2 when those social milestones become readily apparent.
People with autism may have difficulty with communication and social interaction; restricted interests and repetitive behaviors; and inability to function effectively in school, work, and other areas of life.
Diagnosis can be difficult and often involves multiple professionals, but usually starts at your pediatrician's office. We screen frequently in the early years, and refer early when necessary to get the best treatment available.
Depression
Depression in children may look different than it does in adults. Occasionally being sad or feeling hopeless is a part of every child's life. The length and severity of those feelings may be more than typical. When children feel persistent sadness and hopelessness, they may be diagnosed with depression.
Behaviors often seen in children with depression include- Feeling sad, hopeless, or irritable a lot of the time
- Not wanting to do, or enjoy doing, fun things
- Showing changes in eating patterns - eating a lot more or a lot less than usual
- Showing changes in sleep patterns - sleeping a lot more or a lot less than normal
- Showing changes in energy - being tired and sluggish or tense and restless a lot of the time
- Having a hard time paying attention
- Feeling worthless, useless, or guilty
- Showing self-injury and self-destructive behavior
Some children may not talk about their helpless and hopeless thoughts, and may not appear sad. Depression might also cause a child to make trouble or act unmotivated, causing others not to notice that the child is depressed, or to incorrectly label the child as a trouble-maker or lazy.
Anxiety
Young children frequently worry or have concerns that seem minor to adults. Working on reassurance and healthy attachment can help. However, when there are so many fears and worries that they interfere with school, home, or play activities, the child may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
Types of anxiety disorders include
- Being very afraid when away from parents (separation anxiety)
- Having extreme fear about a specific thing or situation, such as dogs, insects, or going to the doctor (phobias)
- Being very afraid of school and other places where there are people (social anxiety)
- Being very worried about the future and about bad things happening (general anxiety)
- Having repeated episodes of sudden, unexpected, intense fear that come with symptoms like heart pounding, having trouble breathing, or feeling dizzy, shaky, or sweaty (panic disorder)
Anxiety can look like too much worrying, but it may also look different in children. It can make children irritable and angry. It frequently causes trouble sleeping, as well as physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, or stomachaches. Some anxious children keep their worries to themselves and, thus, the symptoms can be missed.
