Behavioral Health
Does Your Child Need A Behavioral Evaluation?
What We Do
In cooperation with community based mental health providers, we evaluate and treat children for behavior concerns and school problems including:
- Inattention and lack of focus
- Anxiety
- Depression
If you have concerns about your child's behavioral development, please call our office and ask to speak to our Behavioral Health Care Coordinator. We will discuss your concerns and gather information that will be used to determine how we can best help your child. If a Behavioral Evaluation with one of our pediatricians is needed, we will schedule this visit for you and provide you with assessment tools that you can complete prior to the your visit.
What to Expect
At least one week prior to your appointment, complete assigned assessments noted above. On the day of your child's behavioral evaluation, please arrive 10 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time, or log into your telemedicine appointment. Ideally, your child should eat a nutritious meal prior to the appointment and be well-rested.
For the initial visit, you and your child will meet with the physician and spend approximately 20 minutes with you obtaining pertinent medical and behavioral history. Based on the history, physical and observed interactions with the patient and family, the doctor will develop a behavioral health management plan for your child. Our physicians may recommend additional counseling to best serve your child.
If the doctor prescribes medication, they will want to follow up with your child within 28 days to assess your child's progress and to determine if the medication can be refilled. A patient coordinator will schedule this appointment with you before you leave the office or at the end of your telemedicine visit before logging off.
Assessment tools to complete for children ages 5-12:
- Vanderbilt Assessment - Parent Initial
- Vanderbilt Assessment - Teacher Initial
- Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) - Parent
- Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) – Child
- Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC)
Assessment tools to be complete for children ages 13-18:
- Vanderbilt Assessment - Parent Initial
- Vanderbilt Assessment - Teacher Initial
- Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) - Parent
- Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) – Child
- Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC)
- Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ9)
- CRAFFT screening tool
Assessment tools used on a case by case basis include:
Button- Child Obsessional Compulsive Inventory- Parent and Child (CHOCI)
Completing the Assessments
- You will be directed to complete the Parent Assessments through the patient portal.
- Your child will be given a portal account so that they can complete their assessments through their private patient portal.
- You will be directed to invite your child’s teacher to complete their assessment through the patient portal as well.
Important! All Assessments must be completed before the day of your child’s appointment.
Ongoing Medication Management
After your child's initial evaluation, if medication is started, your child must be seen within 28 days in order to continue the medication. If your child is doing well with his/her medication, subsequent appointments will be scheduled every 3 months. If a medication or dosage change is needed, your child must be seen within 1 month to assess your child's progress and to determine if the medication can be refilled.
