Therapy for Emotional and Behavioral Concerns
in Massapequa & East Northport, NY
Children who struggle with regulating their emotions and behavior can face a lot of challenges in daily life. Not only can emotional or behavioral concerns make it difficult to participate in school, but they can also affect how well a child can make friends or enjoy fun family activities. If your child is facing challenges related to emotional and behavioral concerns, our expert pediatric therapists are here to provide compassionate and comprehensive care. Keep reading to learn more about what emotional and behavioral concerns are, what common conditions can cause these concerns, and how pediatric therapy can help your child, teen, or young adult overcome these challenges.
What Is an Emotional or Behavioral Concern?
An emotional or behavioral concern refers to any difficulty a child experiences in regulating their own emotions or behaviors. Self-regulation, a vital skill for healthy development, involves being aware of and controlling one’s own behavior, emotions, or thoughts. This skill allows children to interact with their environment and peers in a purposeful and socially acceptable way.
Children who struggle with self-regulation can often have emotional outbursts or exhibit behavior that is challenging for family, friends, teachers, and others in the child’s life to manage. Some examples of emotional or behavioral concerns include:
- Tantrums or meltdowns
- Excessive fear or anxiety
- Verbal anger or aggression
- Impulsiveness
- Violent behavior
- Extreme reactions to change
Common Causes of Emotional and Behavioral Concerns in Children
Several conditions can contribute to challenges with emotional and behavioral regulation. These types of challenges are often seen in children who have conditions such as:
Sensory Processing Disorders
Difficulty processing sensory information which can lead to struggles with emotional self-regulation
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
A neurodevelopmental disorder that can lead to struggles with attention and impulse control
Autism Spectrum Disorders
A condition that can lead to difficulty with understanding and responding to social cues, handling changes in routine, and self-regulation.
Anxiety Disorders
Excessive worry or fear that can impact behavior and emotional regulation.
Learning Disorders
Struggles with understanding and remembering new information that can lead to behavioral concerns.
How Pediatric Therapy Helps Children Regulate Their Emotions and Behavior
When it comes to behavior and emotional regulation, there is no “one size fits all” approach. That’s why our dedicated pediatric therapists conduct thorough evaluations to understand each child’s unique needs. We use proven and play-based occupational therapy techniques to help children learn the developmental skills that will empower them to self-regulate with success. And for children who struggle with sensory processing, we offer sensory integration therapy to help address these challenges and give children the tools they need to be able to tolerate sensory input like loud noises or crowded spaces.
Routine pediatric therapy can help children learn how to:
- Cope with big emotions in healthy ways
- Respond to situations with appropriate behavior
- Understand social cues
- And much more
Schedule an Appointment Today
If your child is struggling with emotional or behavioral regulation, our team at Sensational Development is here to help. Give us a call at (516) 799-2900 to schedule an evaluation, and let’s work together to help your child gain the key developmental skills they need for a sensational future.
