Why Parents Need to Take Professional Help for their Child’s Emotional Wellbeing?

 No matter what age a child is, there could be numerous challenges which if not dealt properly can shape their adulthood accordingly. Studies have shown that reaching developmental, psychological milestones and learning healthy social skills defines a child’s overall wellbeing. 

A child’s growth can be divided into four phases. This includes, infancy (1-2 years), pre-school years (3-6 years), middle childhood years (6-12 years) and adolescence (12-18 years). Each phase consists of vital social, physical, psychological, emotional milestones coupled with language and behaviour development. Any delays in speech, walking, or learning should be immediately addressed and if necessary, paediatric counselling can also be adopted. 

It needs to be mentioned that children are as vulnerable to emotional health issues as adults, and these issues become severe with age. Despite contrary belief that children will ‘grow out’ from their childhood traumas, studies have found that symptoms of severe psychological or emotional issues faced by many adults were first diagnosed in their earlier childhood. This is where the relevance of paediatric counselling multiplies manifolds.

What is paediatric counselling? 

Paediatric Counselling is a set of techniques to help children and adolescents suffering from emotional or behavioural problems. Experts dealing in this regard help parents provide support for their children who are found coping with trauma, abuse, developmental issues, grief, and other volatile situations. 

A general myth is that paediatric counselling is merely for those children who have severe psychological or emotional issues. However, it is also found to be helpful for children facing common behavioural issues, like aggression, frustration, or social difficulties with peers or family.

While not all behavioural issues need counselling, it’s important that early identification and diagnosis are done which can be a deciding factor for a child’s happiness and healthier future. Paediatric counsellors work together with children and their parents or caregivers to understand the challenges they face. 

Paediatric counselling provides children with the tools, techniques, and skills required to manage their emotions and navigate stressful situations. Not only does it promote a higher level of self-esteem and self-confidence, but also helps a child to improve his social skills.

Signs that your child might need support

Common issues of distress among children can surface in physical forms as well. Some signs could be:

• Aggressive behaviour
• Difficulty in adjusting to new situations or social engagements
• Sleep difficulties like insomnia, recurring nightmares, or night sweats
• Sudden academic decline
• Noticeable change in appetite or extreme weight fluctuation 
• Social withdrawal 
• Withdrawal from activities they love 
• Engaging in self-harm 

Where to Look?

Deciding to seek child counselling is not an easy decision. Furthermore, finding the right counsellor would seem an even more daunting task. While referrals may work for some people, you must keep in mind that what may be good for one child could be bad for another. One solution is offered by Kaleidoscope, a unit of Dr. Bakshi’s Healthcare. At Kaleidoscope, experienced psychologist and paediatrician provide a safe space to the child to express themselves comfortably.