Mental Health Diagnostic Evaluations

The first step toward helping your child reach his or her full potential is getting a clear diagnosis you can trust. We strive to offer a safe, supportive, and play-based environment that promotes strong relationships and growth to best meet your child's needs.

We can help you get testing for your child whether you are just starting the diagnosis process or you need further testing with a specialist. Our clinical psychologist specializes in screening and diagnosis of Autism Sepcturm Disorder (ASD). 

Mental health diagnostic evaluations can address many mental, emotional, and behavioral concerns, such as:

• Autism
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
• Conduct disorder (CD)

Our clinical psychologist at Pediatric POST in Crystal Lake, Illinois, has the training and experience to perform thorough mental health evaluations in pediatric patients. Contact us today to schedule your child's mental health diagnostic evalulation. 

Our mental health team provide's indiviudalized, family-centered, sessions for children of all ages. Parent and sibling support therapy is also offered. 

What is a "Mental Health Diagnostic Evaluation"?

A diagnostic evaluation assesses your child’s mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being. The therapists at Pediatric POST may recommend an evaluation if your child is struggling or requiring additional support at home, in school, or during their afterschool activities.

 The team uses their results to create an individualized care plan for your child.

Why might children need a mental health diagnositc evaluation?

Knowing when your child needs a mental health evaluation as a parent or caregiver can be difficult. Children are constantly growing and developing, which can lead to concerning mental, emotional, and behavioral disruptions. The mental health team at Pediatric POST may recommend a comprehensive evaluation if your child demonstrates the following:

• Disruptive behaviors
• Flaps hands, rocks body, or spins self in circles
• Delayed cognitive or learning skills
• Difficulty paying attention or sitting still
• Hyperactive, impulsive, and/or inattentive behavior
• Fear or anxiety
• Problems controlling impulses
• Angry outbursts or aggression
• Has obsessive interests
• Changes in sleeping or eating patterns
• Difficulty making or maintaining friendships
• Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or thoughts of suicide
• Low self-esteem
• Problems completing schoolwork

A child’s mental well-being is just as important as their physical health. The team may coordinate with your child’s pediatrician, specialists, teachers, and other adults in their lives to ensure their mental health care plan addresses their unique needs.

What can I expect during a mental health evaluation?

How the Pediatric POST team conducts your child’s mental health evaluation depends on their medical history, age, and symptoms. When you arrive at the office, the team:

• Reviews your child’s medical, family, and psychological history
• Observes your child’s behaviors
• Administers psychological testing (questionnaires, cognitive function tests, etc.)

In most cases, the team involves you and other caregivers in the diagnostic evaluation process. They use all the information they gather to address any concerns your child may have.

What disorders can a mental health evaluation address?

Mental health evaluations can address many mental, emotional, and behavioral concerns, such as:

• Autism
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
• Conduct disorder (CD)

Once the evaluation is complete, the team works with you and your child to develop strategies and skills to support the whole child.

Call Pediatric POST today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about diagnostic evaluations.