Big life changes, like a move, a new sibling, or a parent’s separation, can lead to challenging behaviors in children, teens and young adults up to age 21. At Avant-Garde Behavioral Therapy, ABA-based behavioral services, designed and supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), help children build coping, communication, and problem-solving skills and reduce behaviors that get in the way at home and at school. Call the Davie, Florida, office or visit our Get Started page to begin.
What are adjustment disorders?
Adjustment disorders describe unhealthy emotional or behavioral reactions to a life change or other stressful event in a child’s life. Common examples of a stressful life event for a child can include:
- Relocation
- Loss of a pet
- Birth of a sibling
- Sudden illness
- Parental separation or divorce
The unhealthy reaction must occur within three months of the event to qualify as a symptom of an adjustment disorder. A child’s response to stress can depend on their age, personality, past experience, and coping skills.
Avant-Garde Behavioral Therapy offers ABA-based behavioral services for children, teens and young adults up to age 21 whose behavior has changed after a stressful event. A BCBA assesses your child’s behaviors and what triggers them, then develops an individualized plan to help your child cope with change.
What are the symptoms of adjustment disorders?
Children with an adjustment disorder experience an extreme reaction to stressors. These stressors can vary based on environmental influences, culture, and other factors.
Children may show behavioral changes such as fighting, breaking rules, tantrums, or pulling away from activities they used to enjoy.
Adjustment disorders can also cause:
- Anxiousness
- Hopelessness
- Withdrawal
- Excessive worry
- Fear of separation
These signs can look like other medical or mental health conditions, so a diagnosis should come from your child’s pediatrician or another licensed clinician. If your child’s behavior has changed, call us to talk about whether behavioral support is a good fit.
How does behavioral support help?
A BCBA builds your child’s plan based on their behaviors, needs, and age.
The goal is to give children age-appropriate skills to handle stress and change, manage frustration, and improve their communication and problem-solving skills.
Your child’s plan may include:
- Behavior strategies based on applied behavior analysis (ABA)
- BCBA-led parent training
- Skill development
Parent training is part of every program, so you have tools to help your child handle stress, change, and other triggers at home.
The team tracks your child’s progress during sessions and adjusts the plan as needed.
Call Avant-Garde Behavioral Therapy at (954) 708-1661 or visit our Get Started page to begin.