Is your child acting up? Here’s how a pediatrician can help.

Poor grades, fighting with others, lashing out at parents—If you find yourself dealing with these issues, no doubt you’re concerned about your child’s behaviors. Whether the teachers have complained or you’ve seen these issues in your household, it’s essential to address these concerns with your pediatrician.

Pediatricians and Behavioral Health

While a pediatrician is there to provide your child with medical care, which means that they are focused on physical health, that doesn’t mean they can’t recognize behavioral, mental or emotional issues. Since pediatricians often spend the most time with your children and have seen them grow up through the years, they are often the first to spot problems. That’s why you must have a long-standing pediatrician you know and trust.

When to Be Concerned

It’s natural for a child to be sad when they get sick or lose something important to them or a date with a friend gets postponed; however, if your child is dealing with recurring emotional and behavioral issues that are impacting their daily life, well-being and routine, then it may be time to speak with your pediatrician. Behavioral health concerns that may require a further evaluation with a pediatrician include,

• Anger and irritability
• Outbursts and temper tantrums
• Defying adults and acting out
• Harmful behavior, whether harming themselves or others
• Avoiding social interactions
• Trouble focusing and a drop in academic performance
• Changes in mood
• Sadness or hopelessness that lasts more than two weeks
• Thoughts of suicide
• Stealing, lying and other risky behaviors

How a Pediatrician Can Help

There are many factors a pediatrician will take into account when a child comes in for a behavioral health assessment. Certain factors include,

• Physical
• Environmental
• Social
• Mental
• Emotional
• Socioeconomic

Any changes to your child’s environment could impact their behavioral health, leading to these problematic behaviors and habits. It’s essential to take all aspects and factors into account so that we can provide the proper diagnosis and treatment plan to help manage behavioral issues. From learning disabilities and separation anxiety to autism and ADHD, a pediatrician can help your child cope with many behavioral health problems.

Yes, kids will be kids, but that doesn’t mean you should let recurring or problematic behaviors slide. If you are concerned about your child’s behavioral health, it’s time you turned to a pediatrician to discuss behavioral health options.

The single most important way to slow the spread of COVID-19 is through social distancing. This is true whether you are ill or well. For this reason, Amherst Pediatrics is now scheduling Virtual Visits to allow you to stay home when you are sick, while still being "seen" by one of our providers. Before you can be seen in a Virtual Visit, there are a few important things you need to do. Please click on the image below to learn more about preparing for and scheduing your Virtual Visit.

Kids pick up germs all day, every day. Whether they are sharing toys, playing at day care or sitting in the classroom, whenever children are together, they are at risk for spreading infectious diseases.

Parents should play an active role in helping their kids stay healthy by taking extra precaution to minimize germs. Here are a few tips on how.

Tidy Up

Spending just a few extra minutes each day tidying up your household can go a long way to keep your home germ-free and your kids healthy. Disinfect kitchen countertops after cooking a meal, and wipe down bathroom surfaces as well—especially if your child has been ill with vomiting or diarrhea. Doorknobs, handrails and many plastic toys should also be sanitized on a routine basis. Simply by disinfecting your home more regularly, and even more so when someone in your household has been ill, you can significantly cut down on re-infection.

Set a Good Example

Parents should set good examples for their children by practicing good hand washing and hygiene at home. Encourage your kids to cough or sneeze into a tissue rather than their hands. Children should also be taught not to share drinking cups, eating utensils or toothbrushes. If your school-aged child does become ill, it’s best to keep them home to minimize spreading the illness to other children in the classroom.

Hand Washing

Finally, one of the easiest (and most effective) ways to prevent the spread of infection is by hand washing. At an early age, encourage your child to wash their hands throughout the day, especially:

• After using the bathroom
• Before eating
• After playing outdoors
• After touching pets
• After sneezing or coughing
• If another member of the household is sick

The Centers for Disease control recommends washing hands for at least 10 to 15 seconds to effectively remove germs.

Parents can’t keep their kids germ-free entirely, but you can take extra precautions to help keep your environment clean. It’s also important to help your child understand the importance of good hygiene and thorough hand washing as a vital way to kill germs and prevent illnesses. 

As the spring & summer seasons approach, let's review some recommendations about bug bite safety. Most bug bites are harmless; however, insects can expose children to disease and health risks. Ticks can spread Lyme Disease, and mosquitoes can spread certain viruses, such as West Nile and Zika.

Here are some simple recommendations that can help lower the risk of getting bug bites:

• Avoid areas that bugs enjoy - For example: large gardens, areas with uncovered sitting food, and areas with standing water.

• Limit the amount of standing water (ponds, buckets, birdbaths) in your own yard.

• Avoid wearing scented lotions, perfumes, and hair products when you're outside.

• If possible, wear long sleeves and pants when outside in the evening.

The American Academy of Pediatrics  also recommends the use of insect repellents containing DEET for children over the age of 2 months, when needed, to avoid exposure to insect related diseases.

• Do not use repellent containing DEET on children younger than 2 months of age.

• Read the label of a repellent before purchasing or using it. Different products contain different amounts of DEET. The American Academy of Pediatrics currently recommends products that contain between 10% and 30% DEET to be applied as directed on the package.

• The amount of DEET varies in each product. Usually 10% DEET lasts for 2 hours, while 30% DEET lasts for 5-6 hours. Choose the lowest amount of DEET that will provide you the lasting coverage that you need.

• Wash your child's skin once they come indoors.

• Products that have bug repellent and sunscreen combined are not recommended. You will most likely need to reapply sunscreen more frequently than you can apply DEET to your child's skin.

• Remember, bug repellents do not repel stinging insects, such as bees. If your child has a severe allergy to stinging insects, always carry your Epi-Pen.

Most bug bites are harmless. However, you should seek medical attention if:

• your child develops a fever, rash, joint pain or headaches within 2 weeks of a bite

• your child has bug bites that look infected (redness, swelling, drainage from the skin)

• your child develops an immediate rash or reaction to bug repellent.