How to Decide When to Get Help for Your Child?

The following is a guide to give you an idea of when it is important to seek help for your child. Also, remember, you are the expert on your child and what he or she needs. So if you are concerned about them, it is always a good idea to seek help and get a thorough evaluation of the problem. Also, it is important to seek help if your child’s behavior is causing significant problems with friends, school work, or within the family.

Behaviors and Other Concerns that Suggest a Need for Evaluation and/or Treatment

• Your child has shown changes in areas such as sleep, eating, energy level and/or mood that are affecting his or her functioning or your child has an on-going difficulty in any of these areas.
• Your child has difficulty making and keeping friends.
• Your child has a hard time understanding social situations.
• Your child seldomly listens to you when you ask him or her to do something and often argues with you about rules. It seems like everything your child does is just to push your buttons.
• Your child has difficulty paying attention, is impulsive and/or hyperactive. You are likely to be exhausted trying to help your child get done all that he needs to throughout the day.
• Your child gets upset when separated from you in a way that is not age appropriate. For example, your child may get stomach aches before school in order to stay with you.
• Your child has experienced a stressful event or trauma and shows mood changes, anxiety, and/or seems to have little emotion.
• Your family is going through a stressful time (e.g., divorce, illness, loss, family conflict) and you are unsure how best to help your child.