You see your child struggling and wish with all of your heart that you can make it go away. I have worked with families for the past 30 years and have seen the hurt in moms and dads eyes as they describe their children's struggles. 

We bring these little people into our worlds with the hope that they will lead happy lives. What is it that goes wrong for them: genetics, biology, home life, family, school, peers? 

The answer is any of the above. 

How do we start to understand what is happening:

Let's start with the moody or irritable child?

           

What happens when you say "No" to your child

The effects of genetics and biology show up in a child that may or may not have had a difficult life. Mood problems with sadness, anger, restless, hyperactivity, fears, and nervousness can all have a biological basis. No matter what they are feeling today:

Kids can be showing all kinds of feelings to the world through being irritable. 

Here is how Genetics works:
The genetics sets the stage for a problem to present itself, and the rest is often unclear.   Kids are born with a temperament or a way that they relate to the world. Many mothers tell stories about how their child came out of the womb with certain behaviors, sensitivities attitudes, moods, or anxiety/fears.

The other side of the coin is:

Life, environment, family and school experiences. These influence how much of the genetics we can see. Kids learn to act in certain ways through modeling others, consequences or reactions to their behaviors and rewards or payoffs for behaviors. 

Child therapy creates the opportunity to work through the problems by working directly with the child, parents, schools, and others in their lives. The therapy room is a safe place,  a little separate from their worlds, in which they can be themselves and express themselves. 

                                             

This is the wonder of child therapy:

The therapy room is a place with few expectations and demands.  It allows for the gradual and permanent growth of your child.

A very common problem-ADHD: 

                                 

All too often parents go to their child's school and the teacher suggests that they have someone evaluate their child. They are "acting up in class." This is code for I think he/she has ADHD.

I have a lot to say about this and will get back to it in other blogs but for now: 

                                   

                                                                ADD or ADHD?

                                  

                                                            Therapy for ADHD

Cary Frank Schwimmer, Psy.D. Licensed Psychologist  Los Angeles CA PY27145