WHAT ARE BEHAVIOR DISORDERS?

It turns out that children can have very similar problems that adults do. It is just sometimes harder to tell. Often children are not good at telling you how they feel. Children can have depression, anxiety, mood disorders, bipolar disorder, and oppositional defiance. They also can have developmental problems that confound the diagnosis like Asperger’s disorder, autism, and pervasive developmental delay.

At Northwest Spokane Pediatrics, we treat many children with the above disorders. We utilize medications, referrals to counselors, and parent guidance to help improve the child’s situation. But we do not believe in turning your child into a medicated “zombie.” We pay close attention to how the child is responding to treatments make adjustments accordingly. It is often a fine line between having a good response and being a “zombie.”

What Are Behavior Disorders?

It turns out that children can have very similar problems that adults do. It is just sometimes harder to tell. Often children are not good at telling you how they feel. Children can have depression, anxiety, mood disorders, bipolar disorder, and oppositional defiance. They also can have developmental problems that confound the diagnosis like Asperger’s disorder, autism, and pervasive developmental delay.
At Northwest Spokane Pediatrics, we treat many children with the above disorders. We utilize medications, referrals to counselors, and parent guidance to help improve the child’s situation. But we do not believe in turning your child into a medicated “zombie.” We pay close attention to how the child is responding to treatments make adjustments accordingly. It is often a fine line between having a good response and being a “zombie.”

JUST BECAUSE A CHILD IS ACTING OUT DOES NOT MEAN IT’S ADHD

ADHD (ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER)

Pediatric behavior disorders are often associated with underlying mental health issues. It is important that if a child is exhibiting behaviors that are concerning to parents that they have a child looked at by a medical provider. It is better if the provider has experience in the field of pediatric behavior disorders. NWSP specializes in all types of behavioral medicine.

ADHD has many forms but also is often misdiagnosed. We are equipped with neurological and cognitive testing systems that give our providers the objective data needed to correctly diagnose and create a treatment plan that actually works. The extensive experience and training that our providers have are what sets NWSP apart from other pediatric offices.

JUST BECAUSE A CHILD IS ACTING OUT DOES NOT MEAN IT’S ADHD

ADHD (ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER)

Pediatric behavior disorders are often associated with underlying mental health issues. It is important that if a child is exhibiting behaviors that are concerning to parents that they have a child looked at by a medical provider. It is better if the provider has experience in the field of pediatric behavior disorders. NWSP specializes in all types of behavioral medicine.

ADHD has many forms but also is often misdiagnosed. We are equipped with neurological and cognitive testing systems that give our providers the objective data needed to correctly diagnose and create a treatment plan that actually works. The extensive experience and training that our providers have are what sets NWSP apart from other pediatric offices.

DOES YOUR CHILD EXHIBIT THESE BEHAVIORS?

If your child exhibits some or all of the behaviors listed, these may be clues that your child has ADHD. If you find that you see some of these symptoms or other behavior concerns in your child, we encourage you to come in for an ADHD Behavior Assessment at Northwest Spokane Pediatrics.

COMMON SIGNS TO LOOK FOR

  • Motor restlessness
  • Difficulty completing developmental tasks (e.g. toilet training)
  • Decreased and/or resistance to sleep
  • Insatiable curiosity
  • Family difficulties (including difficulty obtaining and keeping babysitters or daycare(s))
  • Vigorous and OFTEN destructive play
  • Demanding of parental attention, augmentative
  • Delays in motor or language development
  • Excessive temper tantrums (more severe and frequent)
  • Difficulty complying with direction or flatly opposing direction
  • Easily Distracted
  • Unable to sustain attention (excluding videogames and television)
  • Homework is disorganized, incomplete contains careless errors
  • Poor grades OR the teacher reports your child is not working to potential
  • Blurts out answers before question is completed (OFTEN disruptive in class)
  • OFTEN interrupts or intrudes on others
  • OFTEN out of seat or acts like or tries to be the “class clown”
  • Perceived as being immature OR poor peer relationships Or not doing well socially
  • Unwilling or unable to complete chores at home
  • Procrastination sometimes to the point of not being ABLE to initiate a project
  • A sense of inner restlessness (Rather than hyperactive as in early aged children)
  • School work disorganized and/or shows poor follow-through and/or fails to work independently
  • Poor grades OR the teacher reports your child is not working to potential
  • Engaging in RISKY behaviors
  • Speeding and or aggressive or inattentive driving
  • Smoking
  • Experimenting or using drugs or alcohol
  • Difficulty with authority figures
  • Poor self-esteem. Poor peer relationships. Not doing well socially.
  • Anger, emotionally labile

COMMON SIGNS TO LOOK FOR

  • Motor restlessness
  • Difficulty completing developmental tasks (e.g. toilet training)
  • Decreased and/or resistance to sleep
  • Insatiable curiosity
  • Family difficulties (including difficulty obtaining and keeping babysitters or daycare(s))
  • Vigorous and OFTEN destructive play
  • Demanding of parental attention, augmentative
  • Delays in motor or language development
  • Excessive temper tantrums (more severe and frequent)
  • Difficulty complying with direction or flatly opposing direction
  • Easily Distracted
  • Unable to sustain attention (excluding videogames and television)
  • Homework is disorganized, incomplete contains careless errors
  • Poor grades OR the teacher reports your child is not working to potential
  • Blurts out answers before question is completed (OFTEN disruptive in class)
  • OFTEN interrupts or intrudes on others
  • OFTEN out of seat or acts like or tries to be the “class clown”
  • Perceived as being immature OR poor peer relationships Or not doing well socially
  • Unwilling or unable to complete chores at home
  • Procrastination sometimes to the point of not being ABLE to initiate a project
  • A sense of inner restlessness (Rather than hyperactive as in early aged children)
  • School work disorganized and/or shows poor follow-through and/or fails to work independently
  • Poor grades OR the teacher reports your child is not working to potential
  • Engaging in RISKY behaviors
  • Speeding and or aggressive or inattentive driving
  • Smoking
  • Experimenting or using drugs or alcohol
  • Difficulty with authority figures
  • Poor self-esteem. Poor peer relationships. Not doing well socially.
  • Anger, emotionally labile

Ready For A Visit?

We are located at 220 E. Rowan Ave. Ste. #150 in Spokane, Washington (99207). Our office hours are Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm. Schedule an appointment with us today – we look forward to seeing you soon!