Child and Adolescent Issues | Special Child Problems

a man talking counselling about addiction from lady psychologist

An Overview

Children and adolescents can find many obstacles in the developmental process. Issues like poor school performance, unable to read or write, shyness etc are best treated by taking child counseling. The counselors require patience, special training and the ability to connect with the child. Professional and mental health counselors working with children and adolescence can be professional counselors, clinical mental health counselors and child psychologists. The counselor evaluates children psychology and frame of mind, explores the family, social circle and school to analyze child’s behavior and cause of trouble.

Treatment

Treatment: Counselor motivates their clients to discuss their concerns and adjust to life changes, and learn the skills required and also provide opportunities for treatment facilities and community programs.

Psychotherapy- Different types of psychotherapies such as structured psychotherapies that are directed towards a specific conditions. It includes parent involvement, teaching skills and measures of progress.
Family counseling- Managing relationships among the family members.
Support for parents- Providing individual training or group sessions and providing new strategies for managing difficult behavior in the child.
Medications- It includes anti depressants, stimulants and mood stabilizer. It is generally kept as the last treatment option in case of children and when used, it is best used along with psychotherapy.

Assessments

Psycho-educational assessment
Socio-emotional assessment
Assessment of gifted children
Developmental assessment
Sexual, emotional or physical abuse
Death of loved one .
Prolonged grief

Causes

Parental separation or divorce
Mental health issues
Experiencing trauma
Substance abuse
Sexual, emotional or physical abuse
Death of loved one .
Prolonged grief

Signs and symptoms

Mood changes- Any relationship problem caused due to severe mood swings, sadness or withdrawal that lasts for at least two weeks.
Intense feelings- Fear, worries along with a racing heart and fast breathing for no reason.
Behavior changes- Extreme behavior and personality changes which includes dangerous or out of control behavior such as fighting, using weapons, and hurting others.
Difficulty concentrating- Problems in focusing or sitting still causing poor school performance.
Unexplained weight loss
Physical symptoms such as headaches and stomachaches.
Physical harm- The child might want to harm their own body like cutting and burning oneself and even develop suicidal thoughts.
Substance abuse- Drugs and alcohol.