Screening For Behavioral Health Issues In Geneseo and Dansville, NY
Children feel all the same emotions that we do as adults, so it’s natural for them to feel angry or to have an outburst every once in a while as they navigate ways to manage and control these intense emotions; however, most parents wonder whether their child is dealing with a behavioral problem that requires an evaluation. This is where our Geneseo and Dansville, NY, pediatricians can help.
Evaluating Your Child’s Behavior: What to Look For
Is your child’s behavior normal? Here are some ways to evaluate this to determine whether it warrants setting up a behavioral health evaluation with our Geneseo and Dansville, NY, team,
- How long have these problematic behaviors been going on? If it’s only been a few weeks or every few months, then it’s probably not something to worry about; however, if these behaviors have persisted for months and you’re worried that this is not just a “phase,” then a behavioral assessment may be in order.
- How intense are their behaviors? Again, all children will throw temper tantrums at some point; however, you want to consider how extreme these outbursts are and how often they happen. Suppose your child is showing signs of hopelessness, sadness, or a loss of interest in things they love, as well as self-harm or other harmful behaviors. In that case, you should see a pediatrician immediately.
- How old is your child? Some behaviors seem to make sense for certain ages; however, if your six-year-old is displaying behaviors that seem more typical for a two-year-old or your child is showing behaviors that don’t fit their age, there may be more going on.
Visiting our Office for Behavioral Health Assessment
A behavioral health assessment is designed to identify any mental health disorders while providing support and guidance to children and their families to help them navigate any new diagnosis. From diagnosing to creating individualized treatment plans, Stony Brook Pediatrics can provide everything your child needs when you suspect they may have a behavioral disorder. We can also provide your child with a referral to mental health professionals or other doctors that may benefit your child.
Treating Behavioral Disorders in Children
The type of disorder your child has will determine the custom treatment plan we map out for your child. Many treatment plans involve lifestyle changes, behavioral interventions, skills training, ongoing patient education from our team and medication. Since behavioral disorders are for life, we can provide you and your child with continued care, support and treatment to set them up for success.
If your child shows signs of a behavioral disorder, it may be time to schedule a behavioral assessment with Stony Brook Pediatrics. To book an evaluation for your child, call our Geneseo, NY location at (585) 243-9340 and Dansville, NY location at (585) 335-5200.