Our Child & Family Program

These are typical signs and symptoms of ADHD, but may vary:

• Acting on impulse rather than thought or instruction
• Consistent fidgeting
• "Stream of consciousness" when describing ideas
• Difficulty waiting for their turn with toys, devices, food, etc.

If you believe your child is showing symptoms of ADHD, you should visit a pediatrician, pediatric psychiatrist, or psychologist for an official diagnosis through ADHD testing 

ADHD treatment for children may involve therapy, which is an effective treatment sometimes used in alone, or combined with, medication.

Williamsburg Therapy Group also offers assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental conditions to children as young as two years old. ASD is a neurodevelopmental condition that is more prevalent in boys than in girls, affecting communication and behavior.

Key indicators for diagnosing children with Autism Spectrum Disorder include:

• Restricted interests and repetitive behaviors
• Challenges with communicating and interacting with people
• Symptoms that hinder the ability to function properly in school, work, and other areas of life
• Difficulty with self-control and disruptive behavior
• Early identification of ASD is crucial. At Williamsburg Therapy Group, we conduct comprehensive autism testing that looks at the child's early development, strengths, and concerns.

A child psychologist specializes in working with children and adolescents, focusing on their mental, social, and emotional development. They help children cope with life situations such as divorce, death, and family or school transitions.

The children they work with may also experience a variety of developmental or learning disabilities. Regardless of age, the goal of our child psychologists is to understand, prevent, and help cognitive, behavioral, and social issues in each individual child.

Within this field, a school psychologist works specifically within a school or educational setting. Their responsibilities include assessing students and developing tailored educational plans and programs to support those in consultative care.

A child can begin therapy at any age, with the approach tailored to their developmental stage. The youngest therapy patients are toddlers who have behavioral issues, or who have been through trauma.

For these young children, therapy always involves the parents, and teaches them new methods for comforting and guiding their child. Sessions are very play-focused, and will be centralized on the child's learning and exploration of their environment.

Children aged 7 to 9 are typically ready for individual sessions with their therapist, and may be able to understand and benefit from standard practices like cognitive-behavior therapy. Parents may receive updates or visit with the therapist in order to learn new parenting strategies to complement the therapy.

Teenagers can attend therapy that is more similar to traditional adult therapy, though it often involves additional guidance and adapted techniques. 

It’s essential to find the right child therapist on the first try. While Florida is home to hundreds of well-qualified child therapists, it doesn't hurt to be sure that you’re choosing the one that’s right for your child.

Before picking a therapist for your child, ask yourself the following questions:

• What kind of behavioral issues would I like to examine?
• Which organization near me is the most respected in regard to child counseling?
• Which has the most experienced therapists?
• What are my goals for my child?
• What are my child’s own goals?
• What are my pricing constraints for a child therapist?

The approach of a child counseling or therapy session will vary depending on what the child's experiencing. Some professionals guide the patient through therapeutic situations while other psychologists will try to understand aspects of child psychology like mental health or developmental challenges.

During each session, our therapists foster understanding and connection with the child, bringing their vast experience and adhering to the highest therapeutic standard.

Some key responsibilities of a child psychologist include:

• Administering neuropsychological testing
• Conducting scientific research on childhood development
• Diagnosing and treating learning or developmental disabilities
• Collaborating with a healthcare team to create a unique treatment plan for a client
• Assisting clients in managing behavioral issues