Scan for more info Persistent sadness in a child or teen, especially when coupled with irritability or a loss of interest in favorite activities, may be a sign of depression. If you notice these symptoms, it's best to consult a mental health professional. Signs and Symptoms Treatments Assessments Feelings and thoughts that are low, sad, tearful, and irritable Not enjoying things they used to Spending less time with friends or in after-school activities Feeling tired or having less energy Feeling like everything is their fault or they are not good at anything Having thoughts of suicide or wanting to die, or thoughts of harming oneself or others Talk Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Interpersonal Psychotherapy Conversation with parents and school(with child’s permission) Antidepressants (if determined necessary by the Psychiatrist) PHQ-9 PROMIS - Depression Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) ToolkitYOUTH AND DEPRESSION
Scan for more info Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurobiological condition, typically identified around 30 months of age, often when a child displays atypical social behavior. These behaviors can include seeming to live in their own world, engaging in repetitive routines and rigid behaviors, and having difficulty communicating and showing social interest. Signs and Symptoms Treatments Assessments Limited or no smiling by 6 months of age Little or no back-and-forth smiling or sharing of sounds by the age of 9 months Regression in skills previously acquired may be visible (verbal, social, motor skills) Not responding when their name is called No babbling, pointing, reaching, or waving by 12 months No single words by 16 months No two-word phrases by 24 months Regression in development Any loss of previously acquired communication and social skills, usually between 24-36 months Specialized evaluation and early intervention are crucial for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which varies widely in severity. While there's no cure, treatments like language services, behavioral and educational programs, and sometimes medication can positively impact a child's development and reduce disruptive symptoms. Mental health professionals are key in providing diagnosis and designing these appropriate treatment plans. Like all assessments, ASD should only be assessed and determined my a trained and licensed mental health professional.YOUTH AND AUTSIM
Scan for more info Types of anxieties Signs & Symptoms TreatmentsYOUTH AND ANXIETY Generalized Anxiety Disorder Separation Anxiety (seen in young children) Phobias Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Social Anxiety Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Feeling nervous, restless, or tense Having a sense of impending danger, panic, or doom Having an increased heart rate Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation) Sweating Trembling Feeling weak or tired Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry Having trouble sleeping Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems Having difficulty controlling worry Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety May Include a combination of: Individual Psychotherapy Family Therapy Medications Behavioral Treatments School Consultation Anxiety in children can be defined as an excessive and persistent worry that impedes on the child’s daily life and functioning.
Scan for more info Signs & Symptoms Types of ADHD TreatmentsYOUTH AND ADHD Trouble paying attention Inattention to detail and makes careless mistakes Easily distracted Loses school supplies, forgets to turn in homework Trouble finishing classwork and homework Trouble following multiple adult commands Blurts out answers Impatience Fidgets or squirms Leaves their seat and runs about or climbs excessively Seems to be "on the go" Talks too much and has difficulty playing quietly Interrupts or intrudes on others ADD : Characterized by difficulties with attention and organization ADHD -Hyperactive: characterized by hyperactive and impulsive symptoms ADHD - Combined: Characterized by difficulties with attention and hyperactivity May Include a combination of: Individual Psychotherapy Family Therapy Medications Behavioral Treatments School Consultation Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and distractibility in a child or adolescent. Teachers, parents, and friends may think that this child is misbehaving when that may not be the case.
Scan for more info Manic Episodes Depressive Episodes YOUTH & BIPOLAR DISORDER Unrealistic highs in self esteem A great increase in energy Decreased need for sleep Increase in talking Distractibility Thinking more quickly Repeated high-risk-taking behavior Decreased enjoyment in favorite activities Low energy level or fatigue Major changes in sleeping patterns Poor concentration Complaints of boredom Major changes in eating habits Frequent complaints of physical illnesses Suicidal ideation Education of the patient and family about the illness Mood-stabilizing medication Psychotherapy (helps the child understand themselves, adapt to stresses, rebuild self-esteem, and improve relationships) Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme changes in an individual’s mood, energy, thinking, and behavior. There are two parts to this disorder: episodes of mania and episodes of depression. Treatment
Scan for more info Types of Learning Disorders Early signs and symptoms Treatments YOUTH & LEARNING DISORDERS Oral language: listening, speaking and understanding Reading: understanding phonetic knowledge or the sounds that make up spoken language Written: language, spelling, writing, and written expression Mathematics: number sense, computation, math facts fluency, and problem solving Difficulty understanding and following instructions Difficulty remembering what someone just told them Fails to master reading, spelling, and/or math skills Difficulty telling right from left and difficulty identifying words Tends to reverse letters, words, or numbers Lacks coordination in walking, sports, or small activities (i.e. holding a pencil or tying a shoelace) Easily loses or misplaces homework Difficulty understanding the concept of time Intervention programs to specifically target the learning disability the child has. This can come in the form of gaining special education services from the child’s school or Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), a personalized education program to help accommodate the child’s special needs. Learning disabilities are a range of disorders that may affect the acquisition, organization, retention, or understanding of verbal/non-verbal information. This is caused by genetic and/or neurobiological factors that have changed how the brain functions, which in turn impacts one or multiple cognitive brain processes related to learning and retaining information.