When your child changes how they are behaving, it can make you wonder what is happening with them. Sometimes these changes can be tied to a traumatic event, other times they are not. These changes need to be paid attention to. They can help you determine if you should seek counseling. There are six common signs that your child may need help from a specialist. - Defiant behaviors are a common sign that something needs to be addressed. If you find that your child is more prone to argue, become defensive, or complain over the smallest of issues, these can be an indication that your child needs help. These can be happening at home or school. - A shift in usual interests and habits can also be a sign. Most of the time, these will show up as changes in eating or sleeping habits or personal interests. If these changes persist for more than two weeks, seeing a child specialist may be beneficial. - If your child starts to worry excessively, or becomes abnormally sad these are indicators that your child may be dealing with something that could require help. Worrying and sadness are a normal part of life, especially when children go through life changes and transitions. It is when these feelings become excessive that there can be cause for concern. - Regressions are common, especially when a sibling is born. This can also happen if divorce or other major life changes happen. The most common regressions are: frequent temper tantrums, bedwetting, separation anxiety, excessive anxiety or fearfulness, and “baby talk”. - Social isolation is when your child withdraws from much of the social part of life. They want to spend inordinate amounts of time alone. Being alone is a fairly normal part of life, from time to time; when it starts to have a negative impact on relationships, then it is time to be concerned. This is even more true if your child does not normally have issues with shyness or introversion. - If your child starts to talk about harming themselves, it should be taken seriously. Getting help right away is the best choice of action. Sometimes, however, the indicators of self-harm may be more subtle. These can be expressed in a number of ways, such as hitting one’s self, digging nails into their own skin, and banging their head on something are other kinds of signs. Getting the help of a child specialist is certainly needed if your child is self-harming or is threatening to.