From tantrums and shyness to having a hard time making friends and managing screen time, a little help now can make a big difference as your child grows.
Talk to your child’s doctor for support that can lead to a happier, healthier future.
“If you’re struggling with how your
kids are behaving, it doesn’t mean
you’re doing anything wrong. Any
concerns you have, big or small,
are valid.”
— Raven
How your child feels on the inside can affect how they act on the outside. Young kids can have a hard time dealing with big feelings. When they do, you may see behaviors like these:
Every child is different. Talk to your doctor and learn about different kinds of support. Choose what’s right for you and your child. Many support choices are covered by insurance, including Oregon Health Plan.
Many clinics have providers trained to help young children build skills to manage big feelings.
Your child’s doctor can give useful information to help you work through big feelings together.
You can get advice on how to respond to your child’s behavior and ease stress for the whole family.
You can learn how to manage stress as a parent or caregiver and work through challenges together as a family.
There are health care providers specially trained to help young children and families manage stress and big feelings in healthy ways. They may be called behavioral health providers, counselors, therapists, or psychologists.
By getting support early, you can help your child thrive as they grow. Here are some questions you can ask to get support for your child.
Is there someone on your clinic staff who can give us support for my child’s behavior?
Does your clinic have a counselor or therapist we can talk to while we are here?
Can we see a behavioral health provider now or after this appointment?
Can we see a behavioral health provider today, while we are here at the clinic?
If this clinic does not provide behavioral health support, who can I call to schedule a behavioral health appointment for my child?
Where can I find behavioral health support for my child’s age group?
Can I call back tomorrow for a same-day appointment?
Can I be placed on a waitlist if there is a cancellation?
We have already scheduled an appointment with our child’s doctor. Can we see a behavioral health provider that same day?
“Parents are teachers, and no one
knows how to be a teacher without
some support themselves. It’s
healthy and normal to need
support!”
— Dr. Charlene Maxwell
A checklist to take to your child's next appointment
Tell your doctor what you and your child are experiencing. This will help connect you with the right support.
A guide for parents and caregivers
Community organizations: Print and share this guide with families in your community.
Together with our partners, we're helping families get connected to support to help young children grow and thrive.
