Diagnoses / Behaviors Treated
Selective Mutism.
An anxiety disorder in which individuals are unable to speak in particular settings, or with particular individuals (peers and/or adults), despite being able to speak in other settings. Children with this disorder often find it extremely difficult to speak outside of the home, with school/daycare being one of the most challenging settings. Because these children often speak in the home, difficulties are generally not suspected/observed until a child is enrolled in a learning program (e.g. daycare, school).
Therapy that involves caregivers is essential in the treatment of SM.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Children diagnosed with ADHD often struggle with following directions, emotional regulation, social skills, attention, organization, distractibility, and/or impulsivity. Behaviors occur in multiple settings and can have a negative impact on learning and social relationships.
Behavioral Parent Training (e.g. PCIT) is recommended as the first line treatment by the American Academy of Pediatrics for children 6 years and under. For kids up to the age of 12, it is recommended often alongside medication. Parent involvement is crucial to success.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Children diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder often have recurring intrusive thoughts that lead to rituals/routines/behaviors that are time-consuming and interfere with their daily life. They may involve parents, siblings and/or peers in their routines.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold-standard therapy for OCD. This therapy involves both the child and caregiver.
Anxiety and related disorders.
Young children may be reluctant to try new things, fear making mistakes, feel uncomfortable in social situations, feel constantly judged by others, and/or have difficulty participating in activities, sleeping on their own, and/or separating from caregivers, etc. This makes it challenging for them to engage in age-appropriate activities as they are overcome with big emotions that are difficult for them to handle on their own.
Specific areas of anxiety treated include:
Separation Anxiety, Social Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety, Specific Phobias
Oppositional Defiant Disorder.
Children with ODD can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between a strong-willed child. However, symptoms of ODD generally last at least six months and are consistent and persistent. Behavior may start in one setting but then merge into other settings. Children with ODD often and easily lose their temper, are easily annoyed by others, often argue with authority figures and defy or refuse to follow requests. They often annoy others on purpose and blame others for their misbehavior/mistakes. They may say mean things when upset and intentionally seek revenge on others.
General Behavior.
Every child exhibits challenging behavior at some point in their life. However, sometimes those behaviors can significantly disrupt the family and/or the child’s ability to successfully navigate another setting. Let us help you with the following behaviors:
Not following directions / Defiance
Tantrums/outbursts, poor self-regulation
Mild physical aggression
Interruptions
Verbal aggression/back talk
Sleep difficulties (e.g. not staying in own bed, not wanting to sleep in own room, bedtime routine challenges).