Behavioral Health Counseling

Life becomes much more difficult for children with behavioral health disorders. The disorders can every aspect of a child's life and make it difficult to succeed at school or make and keep friends. Fortunately, the Smyrna, Lithonia and Clarkston, GA, pediatricians at Decatur Pediatric Group offer behavioral health counseling services that will help your child manage his or her disorder.

What are common types of behavioral health disorders?

Many types of behavioral health disorders can affect children, including:

• Autism spectrum disorders
• Oppositional defiant disorder
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
• Learning and developmental disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Conduct disorders
• Anxiety
• Depression

How can I tell if my child has a behavioral health disorder?

Behavioral health disorders can occur at any age but often become obvious when your child begins school and starts making friends on his or her own. Signs and symptoms of behavioral health disorders vary depending on the disorder but may include:

• Trouble with social relationships and friends
• Difficulty following or understanding instructions or rules
• Acting out
• Frequent temper tantrums
• Aggressive behavior
• Thoughts of hurting self, other people or animals
• Feeling sad, anxious or nervous
• Low grades
• Trouble with organizational and planning skills
• Difficulty handling changes to the normal schedule
• Headaches and stomachaches
• Separation problems
• Poor sleep
• Inability to accept responsibility for his or her actions

How your child's pediatrician can help

Since health problems can cause some of these symptoms, your child's pediatrician will perform an exam and may recommend a few tests to rule out an illness, disease or condition. During a behavioral health counseling visit at the Smyrna, Lithonia or Clarkston, GA, pediatrics office, the pediatrician will recommend strategies and techniques that help your child cope with his or her symptoms.

In addition to offering suggestions and coping methods to your child, she can also offer a few tips that will help you manage your child's disorder. In some cases, the pediatrician may also recommend therapeutic treatments or referrals to other specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, or speech, occupational or physical therapists.

Could your child benefit from behavioral health counseling? Call (404) 296-7133 to schedule an appointment with the pediatricians in Symrna, Lithonia and Clarkston, GA, at Decatur Pediatric Group.