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Important Notice: The health and wellness of our clients, staff and community is of utmost importance. Therefore, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face services at Behavioral Health Associates of Broward, Counseling Centers of Goodman JFS are postponed until further notice. However, our staff is working remotely and are accessible by phone and email. We are excited to announce that we will be launching Telemental Health Services soon. Please email [email protected] or call 954-909-0888 for the latest information, to schedule an appointment or to reach your clinician.

Key Elements to Behavioral/Emotional Challenges and Testing in Broward County

Do you have a loved one who struggles with behavioral or emotional challenges on a daily basis? At Behavioral Health Associates of Broward, we can help!

Behavioral and emotional health rank just as high on the scale of importance as any other type of health status, but unfortunately, they have the potential to be overlooked and often go unnoticed if not identified or diagnosed properly.

At Behavioral Health Associates of Broward, we understand that sometimes behavioral and emotional challenges are not easy to address, especially when someone is unsure of the type of symptoms they possess or how to seek initial testing.

Treatment all begins with a small, but proactive, first step. So, let’s look at what behavioral and emotional challenges look like, how to identify them in your child, and how to seek a proper diagnosis by a medical professional. The patient’s well-being is of the utmost importance, so it’s imperative that parents, family members, and friends understand what their loved one is going through and how to help them handle each challenge with compassion and empathy.

Every emotional and behavioral challenge is unique. At BHAB, we will help you or your loved one rise above these challenges and continue living life to the fullest!

What are Behavior/Emotional Challenges?

When someone is challenged behaviorally or emotionally, they may be experiencing an emotional or behavioral disability. While, at first sight, their symptoms may not be evident to everyone, there are several signs that can be identified:

  • There is sustained evidence that the individual is unable to maintain relationships in both the personal and professional realm.
  • There is a disconnect when the individual is attempting to learn new material, which is caused by intellectual and sensory health factors.
  • There is an apparent and continuous sense of unhappiness or depression.
  • There is the potential for the individual to undergo physical symptoms, which can include feelings of intense pain or uncharacterized fears.

While you may be able to identify one (or several) of these actions in a loved one, it’s always important to seek testing and ensure that a licensed medical professional makes the official diagnosis when it comes to an emotional or behavioral disorder.

 

How Do I Know If My Child Has a Behavioral or Emotional Disorder?

There are several instances where a child may show early signs of an emotional or behavioral disorder in their development. Watch for the following symptoms that could indicate that your child may need to seek a professional diagnosis:

  • There is an elongated time period where the child shows no signs of “out growing” troubling behavior.
  • There are signs of intense, uncontrollable behavior. Not only is the child having frequent tantrums, but the tantrums are extreme enough that they become frightening to the parents. There may even be a need for intervention.
  • The age of the child is an important factor. While some behavioral mannerisms may be appropriate for a toddler, there are also some that may not be normal for a five-year-old. Age appropriateness is key.

Along with watching the emotional or behavioral signs or symptoms a child may display, there are also a few outside factors that may also influence behavioral or emotional disorders:

  • The child may have a pre-existing medical or physical condition, such as allergies, hearing problems, or even changes in medication.
  • The child could be experiencing difficulties in their school environment, such as bullying or struggles with current course material.
  • If the child is a teen, there could be drug use involved, which can lead to dramatic behavioral changes.
  • There may also be sudden or traumatic changes when a child undergoes or witnesses a significant family event, such as the birth of a new child, a death in the family, and even divorce.

Without looking at all the potential challenges and the “big picture” of what the child is going through at the time, a child may be incorrectly diagnosed, which could cause their challenges to continue or worsen without the proper actionable support. For more information, please contact our caring therapist experts.

How Does One Seek Testing?

You may be wondering how someone goes about getting tested if they are experiencing some (or several) of these challenges. There are actually social/emotional assessments that can be conducted in order for one of our medical professionals to better understand what you or your loved one may be experiencing and to gain a better grasp on the diagnosis and support needed.

This type of testing has been created to better understand a patient’s existing problems with anxiety, anger, sadness, or overall difficulty interacting with others. While not as common as psychoeducational or gifted assessments, this type of testing is also used to interpret and better understand an individual’s personality and self-perception, which can be critical elements in a behavioral or emotional disorder diagnosis.

Benefits of Behavioral/Emotional Testing

Seeking a professional diagnosis is half the battle. Once you receive official results for this type of testing, you and your loved ones can then create a daily plan of action, so you can begin experiencing the following benefits:

Clear Results- The main objective of seeking early testing is to obtain results and an official diagnosis. Once results are posted, whether positive or negative, they give patients and their families peace of mind, so they can move forward and seek the proper care.

Next Steps- Clear results give medical professionals the green light to assign next steps in order to assist those who are diagnosed with an emotional or behavioral disorder in moving forward. This could entail specialized counseling and additional tips for healthy lifestyle changes.

Proper Care- With an official diagnosis, the patient can be placed under the proper medical care tailored to their unique needs. At BHAB, we understand this journey is not an easy one, and so, we strive to make the path as smooth as possible.

Permission to Look at Alternative Testing- You are now one step closer! If your testing results point to a different diagnosis possibility, then you have the positive reinforcement to cross this test off the list and continue on with alternative testing methods that will bring you closer to the answers you’re seeking.

The benefits of seeking behavioral or emotional disorder testing far outweigh the “wait and see” approach. Testing allows for official results and a professional diagnosis that can help you or a loved one regain control of daily life.

Need help diagnosing a specific behavioral or emotional disorder? Get more information or schedule an assessment. Contact us today!

Contact Us For More Information

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Behavioral Health Associates of Broward, Counseling Centers of Goodman JFS

Phone: 954-909-0888

Fax: 954-337-2932

Email: [email protected]


Our Offices

Coral Springs/Parkland:
11555 Heron Bay Boulevard
Coral Springs, FL 33076

Davie/Cooper City:
5890 South Pine Island Rd, Suite 201
Davie, FL 33328