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Evaluating Toddlers

When Should You Worry About Your Toddler's Mental Health?

By Teri Brown

Health care professionals don't like to assess blame when it comes to a child's mental health, but oftentimes the problem is solved by educating the parents on how to deal with their child better.

"Oftentimes in my experiences (approximately 50 to 60 percent of the time) parental understanding into their own issues and/or into their own self and better ways of handling things has led to the resolution of the external factors that affect the child," says Dr. Sophy. "The other percentages are divided up between developmental delays, significant mental health issues and others as well as a general category of miscellaneous health and mental health issues."

Remember that for children this age, mental health is most often treated as a family affair, though occasionally your mental health practitioner may wish to see your toddler alone. The interaction between a parent and child is so important that it is often the relationship that is treated rather than just the child.

"Don't be afraid to ask for help," says Dr. Sophy. "The positive steps from assisting a child in their inabilities to communication or to feel safe, etc., are lifelong and can change throughout their lifetime. After all, we are all here to keep our children safe, and it is our job to identify and connect to a resource for any issue that may interfere with our child's growth, functions and happiness."

Finding Help Finding the right help for our child can be a daunting task. Remember to ask every potential mental health care practitioner what their experience is when it comes to working with young children and their families. Always meet with them first to try to judge if they would work well with you and your family. Dr. Sophy also suggests that you do the following: Ask your medical provider for quality licensed- and/or board-certified psychologists and psychiatrists. Utilize the Web sites for the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry or the American Psychological Association. Speak with other parents who might have had to deal with similar situations.

Want to see more?

• At a Slower Pace: Developmental Delay or Developing Personality?
• Bedwetting and Developmental Delays: How the Urinary System Works in Kids
• Motherhood and Mental Health: Finding a Balance
• Talk about it!