General Child Services

Although our clinicians specialize in the treatment of individuals with autism, all of them have received general training in the treatment of childhood mental health and behavior concerns. The behavioral and cognitive behavioral tools we use, as well as our compassionate, creative, and engaging approach to working with children, create a therapeutic environment that can foster growth in many children.

We provide services in person and, where appropriate, via telehealth. If we ever feel that a child is better served by a clinician or center that specializes in the child's specific needs or can provide more intensive treatment when it is warranted, we will provide an appropriate referral to the family.

Child Anxiety

Childhood anxiety can significantly impact a child's daily life, affecting their school performance, social interactions, and overall well-being. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a highly effective treatment that helps children understand and manage their anxiety by identifying and challenging negative thought patterns. Through structured sessions, children learn coping strategies such as relaxation techniques, gradual exposure to feared situations, and cognitive restructuring to reframe anxious thoughts. CBT empowers children to develop problem-solving skills and build confidence in handling anxiety-provoking situations. Our work with children can address the following concerns:

Separation anxiety
Generalized anxiety
Social anxiety
Bedtime anxiety
Fear of specific objects or situations

Challenging Behavior

If your child engages in challenging behavior like tantrums or aggressions at home, caregiver training may help teach you skills to feel confident in managing those challenges. We provide training using applied behavior analysis (ABA), demonstrated through research to be effective in addressing child behavior and decreasing caregiver stress.

Children with behavioral concerns may have been diagnosed previously with oppositional defiant disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. Working closely with your therapist, you will learn to identify the reasons for your child's behavior, problem solve ways you can use to reduce the likelihood of challenging behavior, and learn to teach new skills to your child. Some of the topics covered during the course of parent training may include the following:

Preventing escalation of behavior
Developing daily schedules
Reinforcing the behavior you want to see
Teaching communication
Teaching new skills

Sleep, Feeding, Toileting

For young children, challenges with sleep, feeding, and toileting can be common. Some of these difficulties can persist as they age. Because these functions are so central to a family's daily routine, challenges in these areas often cause significant stress for children and parents. With careful coordination with medical professionals, behavioral approaches can be helpful in helping your child make gains in these pivotal areas, increasing child and parent confidence. Some areas that can be addressed include:

Difficult bedtime routines or difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
Limited tolerance for a variety of different foods
Challenges with toilet training

Tics and Tic Disorders

Individuals with motor and/or vocal tics, including Tourette syndrome, may experience distress due to the social, emotional, and functional impact of tics on their daily life. Through one-on-one psychotherapy sessions with a clinician who has an understanding of the challenges and experiences of individuals with tics, we utilize evidence-based techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics (CBIT) to aid in managing tics and navigating day-to-day challenges. Our treatment sessions are designed to focus on the following areas for children and adolescents with tics and/or Tourette syndrome:

Educating individuals and their families about tics and their impact on daily functioning
Developing strategies to manage tics in various settings, including school or home
Enhancing self-awareness and coping skills to reduce the impact of tics on daily life
Addressing social and emotional challenges, such as dealing with stigma or feelings of frustration
Building confidence and resilience in managing symptoms
Strengthening family communication and support in understanding and navigating the condition

Caregiver Training

Caregivers are central to the support that we provide at North Star Family Autism Center. In both skill development and treatment of challenging behavior, we collaborate closely with families to ensure that the goals and treatments we select align with family values and culture. We consider caregiver training vitally important to the work that we do in with all children, and include it in our treatment plans. Expect to regularly participate in your child's treatment at North Star as we strive to work as a team to best support your child. Some ways you might participate include:

Collaborating with the clinician on goal development
Identifying clinician strategies that are best-fit to your family
Practicing new parenting skills during sessions with your child
Collecting information about what you observe of your child at home
Trying out new parenting approaches at home and sharing the results with the clinician