Behavioral Health
Does Your Child Need A Behavioral Evaluation?
Our team of physicians, NP’s and PA’s are available to consult regarding your child’s behavioral health care needs. They are qualified to successfully manage ADHD, depression and anxiety symptoms experienced by many children and adolescents. If your child’s symptoms require expertise in treating more significant Behavioral Health concerns, our providers will refer you to our Behavioral Health Care team.
Our Behavioral Health Care Team consists of 2 experienced NP’s, a licensed social worker and a care coordinator. The team is overseen by a licensed child and adolescent psychiatrist who meets weekly with our NP’s. The team is able to manage medication, provide consultation to families regarding behavioral concerns, and assist with securing behavioral health services in the community.
Reading Pediatrics is also proud to provide Autism Evaluations for children 18 months to 3 years of age.
What We Do:
Our providers will administer screens to assist with diagnosing ADHD, depression, and anxiety. Children will be referred for therapeutic services including Out-Patient therapy, Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS, formerly referred to as wrap-around and/or BHRS); Multi- Systemic Therapy (MST); and Family Based Mental Health Therapy (FBMHS) based on individual need.
Some of these services do require a child to be eligible for Medical Assistance (MA). There is a special caveat that allows children with special medical needs, which includes mental health concerns, to be eligible despite family income. Our team will assist families with the application process to assure that children receive necessary services.
Our team will also coordinate with other community agencies and schools to assure that our patients are able to function at their highest level possible.
Evaluation Day:
Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your child’ scheduled appointment. Please be sure that child eats a nutritious meal prior to the appointment and that he/she is well rested. If meeting with a PCP, a nurse will greet you and your child. The nurse will obtain vital statistics for your child and gather pertinent medical and behavioral history. The provider will then perform a thorough
assessment and will work with you to develop a behavioral health management plan for your child that may include referrals for additional services.
At times, our providers see children who are experiencing suicidal ideations, engaging in self- injurious behaviors and or have drug/alcohol addiction concerns. In these situations, the
provider may ask the Behavioral Health team social worker to meet with you as well. The social worker is able to provide additional information regarding community resources that may be
able to help you and your child navigate these difficult times.
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Assessment tools to complete for children ages 5-12:
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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
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Assessment tools used on a case by case basis include:
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 can be completed before the day of your child’s appointment.
How Do You Access Behavioral Health Care Services at Reading Pediatrics?
Please contact our skilled telephone nurses to discuss concerns. You will be scheduled to see your child’s primary care provider within our practice. We feel that it is important to consistently see one provider who is able to become familiar with your child’s special needs. You will be asked to complete assessments based on parental concerns, which can be accessed via the portal. If you are unable to complete the assessments in this manner, you may pick up hard copies at any RPI location at your convenience. Your PCP will meet with you and your child to discuss concerns and review the assessments. You will develop a treatment plan together.
If you and the provider feel that your child would benefit from a specialized evaluation with our Behavioral Health Care team, an appointment will be scheduled. You will be asked to complete additional paperwork that provides a comprehensive history for your child. You may be asked to complete some of the assessments again as it is important to have a current picture of your child’s emotional status. The Behavioral Health Care provider will meet with you to review the information and to provide recommendations as to how to proceed further. You will continue to work with your provider to develop and revise your child’s treatment plan.
If medication is recommended at any point in the evaluation process, you will be required to return for follow-up visits to monitor reactions and to adjust as needed. Some medications require more close monitoring of a patient’s vital signs after starting a new medication.
Appointments will most likely occur on a monthly basis until your child is stable on a particular medication. Once a patient is stable, appointments will occur less frequently. If your child does begin to see our Behavioral Health Care team providers, the child will return to their PCP for medication management once stable.
If your child is referred for an Autism Evaluation at Reading Pediatrics, a member of the PSA team will contact you to schedule the appointment and provide the paperwork to be completed. Once the evaluation is completed, your child will be referred back to the PCP and/or Behavioral Health Care team for ongoing monitoring.