Has your kid been acting differently recently? You’re not alone in this, and it’s not your fault. At some point, every parent gets that niggling question, “Does my child need therapy?” You are surrounded by contrasting opinions, and advice can be more confusing than comforting. Good news! Help is right around the corner with this comprehensive guide. Fear not, as this post comes with a specially designed quiz to assist in making that decision.
Table of Contents
Understanding Therapy for Kids
Therapy isn’t just for adults or extreme cases; it’s beneficial for anyone, including our brave young progeny. However, there are moments of concern that lead to the unsettling question – does my child need therapy? For example:
- Persistent feelings of sadness or withdrawal.
- Significant decrease in school performance.
- Drastic sleep and appetite changes.
Above all, it’s important to remember – no two kids are the same. Neurodivergent kids can show different signs than their peers. It’s a journey to understand what your child is going through, but you’re not alone.
Read more: 5 Art Therapy Activities for Kids
Therapy: Not a One-Size-Fits-All Solution
Here’s a hard pill to swallow. What works for one child may not work for another. Just like picking the perfect ice cream flavor, therapy is highly personalized. ‘Cookie cutter’ methods are ineffective when dealing with delicate and complex issues in a child’s world.
The types of therapy available for kids far exceed the flavors in an ice cream parlor. Some popular ones include:
- Play therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Family therapy
Fear not! An experienced therapist can select the best fit for your little one.
Read more: Types of Child Therapy
Making the Choice: Does My Child Need Therapy?
The hardest part of the whole debacle is making the decision. Moreover, it’s even more complicated if your child is too young to effectively communicate their feelings. Nudging you to make an informed decision is our specially curated quiz. Remember, life doesn’t come with a manual, it comes with a Mama and a Papa!
How Therapy Works
Meanwhile, it’s good to remember that therapy aims to provide kids with strategies to deal with their challenges. Similarly, it’s about equipping parents, the primary caregivers with tools and techniques to better support their child. Above all, the goal of therapy remains to foster a nurturing environment for the child to thrive and blossom.
When to Seek Help
The most crucial step in this process is to not hesitate if you feel your child might benefit from therapy. Certainly, it’s not about labeling or isolating them but about giving them the tools they need for a happier life. Consult with professionals or take a step further and consider a thorough evaluation.
Goally | Apps To Support Child Development
Looking for fun ways to help your child learn life skills? Try Goally! The Goally tablet comes with award-winning learning apps and video classes to help kids develop the skills they need to become independent with FUN & evidence-based practices.
Our apps teach executive function, language, emotional regulation, finger dexterity skills, and more.
As your child develops new skills, you can increase the difficulty level of the tasks in the app to challenge and motivate them even further. This helps your child grow and progress at their own pace, while also keeping them engaged and excited about their development.
Final Thoughts
Recognizing the need for therapy can be a daunting task. But just like your child learns to tie their shoelaces, you too will master this. Most importantly, you’re not alone. Thousands of parents worldwide have walked, stumbled, and trudged down this path.
Remember, seeking therapy isn’t about fixing one’s child. It’s about gifting them the tools to understand and articulate their feelings better and grow stronger each day. After all, isn’t that what we yearn for our kids – to see them thrive?
Hennah is an experienced writer and researcher, helping children with autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergent conditions. As a blog contributor for Goally, she combines her deep understanding of neurodiversity with practical advice, offering valuable insights to parents and educators.
