Behavior Problems in West Jordan and Serving South Jordan & Riverton, UT
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 experienced pediatricians at Southwest Children's Clinic, LLC can help.
Understanding Behavior Problems
All children and teens will have conflict at some point with their parents. Testing their boundaries and exerting their independence is a natural step in the development process. Likewise, feeling the need to withdraw and be alone is part of establishing autonomy. Many times, children and adolescents are behaving in accordance with their age, even if the tantrums or outbursts seem out of character. "Acting out" emotionally or behaviorally is a common response to a major change in a child's life, such as the death or birth of a family member, relocating to a new city, or a divorce. Difficulties at school may also trigger emotional responses. As the problems are eliminated or they adjust to the changes in their lives, the behavior usually improves.
However, when this defiant, difficult or unusual behavior becomes a pattern that disrupts the daily routine at home or school, it warrants an evaluation by a professional. Experts suggest that it isn't necessarily the intensity of behavior that dictates the need to seek treatment. Rather, it is the impact that the outbursts, seclusion or sadness has on the family's life as a whole. Behavioral health assessments aren't just for the child - they are designed to pinpoint the source of the problem and teach coping mechanisms for both the child and their family members.
Evaluating Your Child’s Behavior Problems: What to Look For
Are your child’s behavior problems normal? Here are some ways to evaluate this to determine whether it warrants setting up a behavioral health evaluation with our pediatric 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.
Behavioral Health Assessments
Our pediatricians are experienced with working with children with various behavioral health problems. 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, our team can provide everything your child needs when you suspect they may have a behavioral disorder.
Treating Behavioral Problems 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. We can provide you and your child with continued care, support and treatment to set them up for success.