Behavioral Health Conditions

Child and adolescent-specific issues

All children and adolescents can present parents/guardians with challenging behaviors. Discerning what is a childhood-onset mental disorder, symptom of trauma, or developmental crisis can be difficult. Resourceful parenting and an understanding of the unique needs of the child or adolescent are a necessary foundation. Careful differential diagnosis of childhood-onset mental disorders is key to intervention.

Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC-17) is a brief screening questionnaire used by pediatricians and other health professionals to identify psychosocial problems and improve treatment in children. It is available in many languages.

Conduct Disorder

AACAP Facts for Families on Conduct Disorder

Disruptive Mood Dysregulations Disorder 

AACAP Facts for Families on Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

AACAP Facts for Families on Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression

The National Center for Youth with Diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, & Expression (The National SOGIE Center), provides a centralized site for accessing resources on providing culturally responsive care to children, youth, young adults with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression (SOGIE) and their families across systems, including child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health (including school mental health), substance use systems, and housing and homelessness.

Trauma

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) offers trauma education, resources, and training. NTCSN is funded by the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and jointly coordinated by UCLA and Duke University. 

The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Facts for Families provides concise and up-to-date information on issues that affect children, teenagers and their families.

Conduct your own keyword search today or click the topics below.

Parent helpline for children with mental health challenges

NAMI HelpLine volunteers answer questions, offer support and provide practical next steps by text, chat, call or email Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email helpline@nami.org

Collaborative care for chronic health conditions

For psychiatric consultation, access the National Network of Child Psychiatry Access Programs database.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) offers a directory of Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program lines for psychiatric teleconsultation. 

Infant and maternal health

Parents as Teachers matches parents and caregivers of infants and preschoolers with trained professionals who make personal home visits during a child’s earliest years in life, from prenatal through kindergarten.  

LGBTQ resources for young people, family and allies

The Trevor Project offers information and support for LGBTQ young people, family and allies. Includes access to counselors and TrevorSpace, an international peer community for youth ages 13-24.

Conduct disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder share many symptoms, including:

  • Temper outbursts
  • Irritable mood
  • Impulsivity
  • Frequent anger or resentment
  • Aggression

Other diagnoses need to be ruled out or considered as a better explanation, such as:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Attention deficit disorder
  • Psychosis
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Autism