Your child’s behavior can be complicated. It can be difficult to tell normal behavior from a behavioral problem. Your pediatrician is here to help. Dr. Devang Gandhi at the Pediatric Care Clinic in Milwaukee, WI, provides comprehensive medical care for children, including behavioral counseling and treatment.

What You Need To Know About Childhood Behavior

As your child grows, your child’s behavior will change. Temper tantrums, defiant behavior, and withdrawal can all be normal changes. They are evidence of your child gaining independence and autonomy, and testing boundaries.

There are several red flags to look out for which may indicate your child may have a behavioral disorder. You need to pay attention to whether your child is:

• Having difficulty getting along with others
• Showing a lack of respect for authority figures
• Threatening to harm themselves, other children, or pets
• Feeling unhappy or depressed most of the time
• Feeling anxious about social situations and school
• Intentionally damaging or destroying things
• Frequently lying, stealing, or arguing
• Doing poorly in school or skipping class

If you see any of the signs listed above, your child could benefit from a behavioral assessment. A behavioral assessment screens for behavioral disorders like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Common signs of ADHD include:

• Excessively talking or blurting out comments
• Having difficulty sitting still
• Often losing or forgetting things
• Having difficulty focusing and completing tasks
• Daydreaming often and not concentrating
• Frequently making mistakes and being careless

A behavioral assessment from your pediatrician can help determine if your child has behavioral issues or ADHD. After the assessment, your pediatrician may recommend:

• Behavioral counseling for your child
• Family counseling for all your family members
• Medication to help with focus and other issues

Want To Know More About Common Behavioral Problems in Children?

If you are concerned about behavioral problems in your child, it’s time to contact a pediatrician. To learn more about the treatment of children’s behavioral issues, including ADHD, call Dr. Gandhi at the Pediatric Care Clinic in Milwaukee, WI, at (414) 442-6970. Call today.