Pediatric Psychiatry
If your child is experiencing emotional or behavioral problems, our mental health experts can help you understand what is happening and why. The Orlando Health Pediatric Psychiatry team believes that every child is unique. We will work closely with you to carefully determine the cause of your child's condition and, more importantly, the best treatment options available.
Our compassionate team will develop a care plan customized to your child’s needs, focusing on collaborative care. We bring together psychiatrists, psychologists, pediatricians, social workers, school counselors and a wide range of specialists. Treatments are backed by strong research, and medications are carefully managed and closely monitored by your care team. We will also be there to support your family during acute emotional or behavioral episodes.
Our care philosophy is built around the goal of caring for your child now and in the future – with strong family involvement and support. Outstanding treatment for mental disorders is about more than just managing symptoms. We strive to focus on your child’s existing strengths and help them build new skills – while reducing the stigma associated with mental illness.
Anxiety and fear are typical emotions for most children, who often learn from them. But when these behaviors become extreme, they can be disruptive to your child’s development and mental wellness. These disorders can include separation anxiety, phobias, panic attacks and social anxiety.
This common disorder, also known as ADHD, affects the way your child’s brain develops and works. It makes it difficult to maintain focus and leaves your child easily distracted. This can lead to impulsive behaviors along with fidgeting, losing things and difficulty sitting still.
This developmental disorder can affect how your child sees and reacts to other people, particularly in social settings. The condition begins in early childhood, with symptoms that include difficulty making eye contact, delayed language development, repetitive behaviors and obsessive/compulsive tendencies.
Disruptive behavior disorders may hinder your child’s ability to control emotions and behavior. This can result in unexpected aggression, temper tantrums, defiance, difficulty following directions and damaging property. These disorders can make it difficult for your child to socialize and learn.
These mood disorders cause extreme swings in your child’s moods, emotions and energy levels. These shifts can occur without warning and can last anywhere from hours to months. While most people are diagnosed as teens or adults, symptoms often emerge during childhood.
Major depression is a mood disorder that is significantly more severe than typical feelings of sadness. The disorder can leave your child constantly sad or irritable and challenged to perform well at school or with friends. Thoughts of self injury or suicide may also be present.
This occurs when your child doesn’t reach developmental milestones at the same time as their peers. These delays can affect a wide range of skills, including learning, expressing feelings, coping with unexpected change, speaking or fine motor functions (using silverware, for example).
This learning disability interferes with the way your child’s brain processes and understands written words and numbers. It can make it difficult to read and learn. Although it is screened for as part of a psychiatric evaluation, it is generally more thoroughly diagnosed by a psychologist or speech pathologist.
An eating disorder is a mental condition that often emerges during the middle and latter stages of childhood development. Although frequently seen in girls, it is also becoming more common in boys as well. An eating disorder often stems from a disturbance in eating behavior which typically causes a negative effect on the child's physical, psychological, and social functioning.
Some children do not develop intellectual skills at the same rate as other children. This may be a cause for concern if your child is at least 3 years old and functioning below age level. The condition can affect many skills, including reading, reasoning, critical thinking, problem solving and focus.
Various learning disorders can affect your child’s ability to perform well in school. These disorders can make it challenging to take in new information, stay organized, retain what’s been learned or understand how to use the new information.
These disorders can affect the way your child understands that world around them. They may hear voices, see things that aren’t there or have difficulty distinguishing between fantasy and reality.
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