Children’s Behavioral and Mental Health Specialist in Rochester, NY
It can be difficult to measure your child’s behavioral health because children can act out in many ways that may worry their parents.
As children develop, they are constantly learning how to interact with the world around them, and how to respond to these interactions. If your child experiences distress or consistent problems throughout their everyday life, they may have a behavioral disorder. The highly trained pediatricians at Genesis Pediatrics have extensive experience identifying signs of behavioral health disorders in children and teenagers. If your child is exhibiting symptoms of any of the following behavioral disorders, call (585) 426-4100 to schedule an appointment at our pediatric office in Rochester, NY today!
Common Mental and Behavioral Disorders
A mental or behavioral issue can present itself in many forms. A few of the most frequent disorders that appear in children and teenagers are:
Anxiety
If your child is so fearful or worried that they unable to perform daily functions at school or at home then they may have an anxiety disorder.
Depression
All kids experience sadness. However, if this sadness progresses into feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, it may be a sign of a more concerning condition such as depression.
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental condition that can affect children in a variety of ways. Generally, kids with ADHD experience trouble when trying to focus on a task.
Forms
- ADHD Information
- ADHD Parent Assessment
- ADHD Teacher Assessment
- Follow-up Vanderbilt – Parent
- Follow-up Vanderbilt – Teacher
- Information About 504 Plans
- Information About IEPS
Resources
- CHADD (Children & Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
- CDC on ADHD
- Additional ADHD Support Resource
Learning Disabilities
All children learn at their own pace. However, if your child struggles significantly with reading, writing, or math, they may have a learning disability.
Eating Disorders
All children may have varying eating habits. However, if your child exhibits extreme behaviors related to food, such as severe restriction, binge eating, or purging, they may have an eating disorder.
Autism
All children develop uniquely. However, if your child has challenges with social skills, communication, and repetitive behaviors, they may have autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
This disorder typically presents itself in children ages 8-12 and is characterised by a short temper, refusal to follow the direction of others, and arguing with people in a disrespectful manner.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Kids with OCD may have obsessions, compulsions, or both. These cause the child to have an urge that may not be particularly rational, but makes them feel as though they must act on it anyway.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Generally, children are incredibly resilient, which allows them to recover quickly from a stressful event. Cases where such stressful events leave a lasting, negative impression on their child and their life are known as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Tourette’s Syndrome
Both children and adults with tourette’s will make involuntary verbal or physical outbursts that are referred to as “tics”.
As of age 12, we begin to screen for anxiety, depression, and substance use. If you have any concerns regarding your child, please schedule an appointment to discuss further. There are specific screening forms available to send to your patient portal for completion upon request.
When to See a Professional
Some behavioral disorders are more easy to manage than others, but each one can warrant the advice and care of a professional if it is affecting the child’s daily functions. A specialist will make sure to provide the child with extra support to help them manage and control their disorder.
Meeting with a behavioral health specialist never means that your kid is crazy, it simply means that you are willing to seek assistance in providing your son or daughter with the tools they need to enjoy their life to the fullest.
To speak with a behavioral health expert from Genesis Pediatrics, please call our office today at (585) 426-4100 to schedule an appointment.
Schedule an Appointment
If you suspect that your child or teenager may be exhibiting signs of a behavioral disorder, contact Genesis Pediatrics for an evaluation. Call (585) 426-4100 to request an appointment with a highly trained pediatrician today!
Request a Behavioral Health Appointment
The expertly trained pediatricians at Genesis Pediatrics have extensive experience identifying signs of behavioral health concerns. If you are interested in having your child evaluated, call (585) 426-4100 to request an appointment at our pediatric office in Rochester, NY.