When your child is struggling with emotional, behavioral, learning or developmental challenges, pediatric psychologists at Rush can help.
They will provide you and your child with assessment, treatment, care and support to address a wide range of concerns. This can include anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), aggression, behavior problems, depression, developmental conditions, trauma and adjustment-related disorders and stress associated with medical conditions.
Your child’s pediatric psychologist will work closely with other specialists at Rush University Children’s Hospital to provide the following tests and treatments for your child:
- Psychological assessment and developmental/diagnostic testing
- Therapeutic interventions (e.g., individual therapy, family counseling)
- Consultations during your child’s medical visits (e.g., inpatient or outpatient)
Tests and Treatments
A one-on-one session with children and teens that teaches them about the connection between their brain and body. Through techniques like breathing exercises, guided-imagery and relaxation activities, your child can learn to manage stress and reduce chronic pain. These skills can help regulate muscle tension, heart rate and other body functions that may be affected by stress or discomfort.
A diagnostic assessment for children and teens (ages 4-18) with ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, developmental delays, learning disabilities, internalizing and externalizing disorders, as well as a variety of medical conditions. The assessment looks at different areas of your child’s development, including thinking skills, language, attention, memory, social and emotional functioning, and how they manage everyday tasks.
A developmental screening and evaluation for infants and young children who spent time in the neonatal intensive care unit at Rush University Children’s Hospital. This assessment helps check how your child is growing, learning and reaching important milestones after their NICU stay.
A developmental screening and evaluation for toddlers and young children, who may be showing signs of developmental delays or autism spectrum disorder. This assessment helps understand how your child is growing, learning, communicating and interacting with others, and it can help guide next steps for care and support.
A brief assessment and short-term support for children and teens who are hospitalized at Rush University Children’s Hospital. Our psychologists work with young patients and their families to help support emotional and mental health needs during a hospital stay, whether in the general pediatric unit or the pediatric intensive care unit.
Individual therapy sessions for children, teens and their families to help manage the emotional and mental health challenges that can come with medical conditions. This includes support for adjusting to a new or worsening diagnosis, preparing for treatments or procedures, managing stress, coping with grief and addressing issues like depression, anxiety or medical-related trauma that may affect a child’s well-being or medical care.
Therapy designed for toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children with disruptive behavior. During these sessions, caregivers and their child play together in a room while a pediatric psychologist observes and offers real-time coaching. Caregivers receive guidance on positive reinforcement and behavior management strategies to help support their child’s development and improve family routines.
Therapy for toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children who are showing disruptive behavior or having trouble managing big emotions. These sessions focus on giving caregivers helpful behavior management strategies and teaching children healthy coping skills to better handle frustration, anger and other strong feelings.
Brief, focused support for children, teens and their families who are experiencing behavioral or emotional concerns. These short-term interventions are offered within a primary care setting and can help address anxiety, mood changes or behavior struggles and connect families with additional resources, if needed. A child must be seen by a pediatrician at Rush to be eligible for this service.
Excellent Care for Kids
- Expert psychological evaluation and care: Pediatric psychologists at Rush are specially trained in evaluating and caring for children and adolescents with a wide range of psychological and developmental conditions.
- Family-centered care: The pediatric psychology team at Rush believes that families play a vital role in their children’s recovery. To the extent possible, you will be involved in all aspects of your child’s care.
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