A Parent's Guide to Child Behavior Assessments
Behavioral issues in children can be difficult and challenging. You may feel you are out of options when it comes to communication, discipline, encouragement, and socialization. This is where a child behavior assessment can help.
Child behavior assessments focus on finding the underlying issue contributing to a child’s behavior. Whether your child is 5 or 15, a behavior assessment looks at childhood trauma, learning disabilities, mental health conditions, and more.
As a parent, you walk away with support, resources, and tools to help your child. Plus, at The Family Center in Ellicott City, you have a community that can assist with group therapy, child therapy, school resources, and more.
Learn more about what to expect if your child is coming in for a child behavior assessment.
Parent Consultation
The parent consultation is where our therapists, social workers, registered nurses, and other staff meet with you to discuss your child’s behavior. You’ll have one primary point of contact who may refer you to other staff based on the needs of your child.
This is casual, informal, and a chance to touch base; at this meeting, we are here to meet, make sure we’re the right fit, learn more about your family, and recommend the best course of action. We’ll cover the process, possible diagnoses, and more that you and your child can expect. Feel free to ask questions, share your experiences, and consult what has and has not worked for your family in the past.
Child Meet and Greet
We invite your child to come in for a meeting, where we observe their behavior, ask them questions, and interact with them in our office. This is a chance to meet, observe, and talk with your child about the behavior we’ve discussed and get a chance to know them. This is informal and relaxed, so your child can be stress-free and act naturally.
During this meet and greet, we will observe and notate your child’s social skills, communication methods, general mood, anxiety triggers, emotional regulation, and more. There is no right or wrong; we will simply interact casually with games, art, toys, and general communication. This will vary based on your child’s age.
.jpg)
Assessments and Questionnaires
After the meet and greet, we will complete the formal behavioral assessments. These may include questions, skills tests, or other hands-on techniques. We use these data points and our observations to come to a conclusion on a diagnosis. We will always discuss with you what is to be expected so you and your child are comfortable.
At The Family Center in Ellicott City, every staff member is experienced, educated, and highly qualified to work with children of all ages and make a diagnosis. We have therapists, psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, and more on staff to collaborate on a well-rounded approach.
Recommendations
We don’t stop at a diagnosis - this is just the beginning. Based on our evaluations and input from other staff, if needed, we will recommend the best course of treatment. This may include any combination of therapy, family counseling, medications, learning assistance, and more.
It is important that everyone feels supported moving forward and knows that there are tools and resources available. We will discuss options, including working with teachers or your school, looping in other family members, scheduling regular therapy sessions, and more. Our approach is tailored to what will work for your child; we are not restricted by insurance requirements.
.jpg)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a child behavior assessment cost?
The cost of a behavior assessment varies based on your insurance coverage. We will provide a Super Bill, with all listed services, that can be submitted to your insurance. We highly encourage patients to know their coverage and consult with us before setting up an appointment with any concerns.
Can I pick the therapist my child sees?
At The Family Center, we prefer to match your child with the most qualified staff member based on the diagnosis, behavior observed, and overall services needed. However, we will always listen to parent and family input when making a decision and discuss any concerns with you.
How can I get started?
Give us a call at (410) 531-5087 to make a behavior assessment appointment in Ellicott City, MD. We will consult on everything you can expect and discuss times and dates that are available.
What sets The Family Center apart?
Our well-rounded approach is what makes us the family therapy center in Ellicott City. We don’t just handle kids, teens, or families. We work with kids of all ages, with any and all family members who wish to be involved. We connect schools and parents with the resources their child needs to thrive. With us, you are supported every step of the way.
