Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Resources

SSRD Resources

This animated video for kids gives real-life examples of the mind-body connection: how stress and big feelings can sometimes result in physical symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness and pain, even when tests and lab results cannot identify a cause.


AMPS Resources

A nonprofit founded by a retired CHOP pediatrician to educate children, families and healthcare providers about Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome (AMPS) and related disorders. The site provides a list of dedicated treatment programs in the U.S., as well as videos that focus on diagnosis, treatment and patient stories.


Chronic Pain Resources

An empowering book for kids ages 8-10 that teaches them how to use their mind, body and spirit to control how their body feels, even when they’re in pain. By Timothy Culbert, MD.

 A book for children ages 2 and up that teaches how mindfulness, visualization and deep breathing can help manage chronic pain. By Brenda Miles.

This guide for parents of children and adolescents offers practical strategies and tools for management of chronic pain with the goal of kids fully participating in school, sports, social life and family life. By Tonya Palermo, PhD, and Emily Law, PhD.

This interactive online video course teaches kids about chronic pain and how to manage it. The seven episodes focus on subjects like the mind-body connection as well as how pain affects physical activity, home life and school life.

This one-day, in-person workshop (offered at CHOP and elsewhere) is intended for adolescents ages 10-17 and their caregivers. The workshop teaches pain management strategies and coping skills that are rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

This foundation educates kids and their families about pain and pain management. The content is organized by age group and type of pain, in multiple languages, and includes extensive video content.


FND Resources

A UK-based, patient-led charity focused on education and peer support. FND Action has educational materials including an FND toolkit. Other peer support groups based in the UK include FND Dimensions.

This Australia-based educational organization has printable Fact Sheets on its website that focus on education for families, the role of PT/OT in treating FND, and the role of psychology in understanding the mind-body connection.

This international patient- and caregiver-run organization has a website with educational information about symptoms and treatment. Other resources include search tools to find providers and peer support groups, as well as research updates, an events calendar and a webinar library.

This app from neurosymptoms.org helps with tracking symptoms of FND and supports communication with the user’s health care team.

An educational site for children and caregivers who are living with non-epileptic events (PNEE, pseudoseizure and others). The explanatory content is extensive, as are the downloadable symptom management tools.

A comprehensive source of information and education about Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), which offers written, video and podcast content for children, caregivers and health care providers, along with links to support groups. The site also has an app.

This self-guided resource helps children 9-19 understand their FND symptoms and learn to repair the mind-body connection, using mind-body techniques developed by occupational, physical and mental health therapists. By Katie Carey and Meagan Watson.


Food as Medicine

This resource from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) offers information about the clear liquid diet and suggestions for a variety of liquids to try. 

This resource from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) gives tips to improve mind-body connection and digestion through practicing mindfulness at mealtimes.

This resource from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) discusses prebiotics and how to add them to your diet to support digestion and immune health.

This resource from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) discusses probiotics and how to add them to your diet to support digestion and immune health.

La dieta antiinflamatoria (AI, por sus siglas en inglés) se basa en dos patrones tradicionales de alimentación saludable que proceden de las culturas asiática y mediterránea. Se cree que el patrón combinado es una de las formas más saludables de alimentación.

This resource from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) offers recipes for grain salads and suggestions for creating your own.


Integrative Health Therapies

This resource from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) describes acupressure, its benefits and how it can be used as part of a treatment plan to relieve a variety of symptoms.

This resource from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) describes how hypnosis can be used as part of a treatment plan for issues like pain, anxiety and other medical conditions.

This resource from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia provides information about energy therapy, its benefits and what to expect during and after treatment.

This resource from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) offers information about massage therapy and how they can be used as part of a treatment plan to support relaxation and healing.

This resource from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) provides information about therapeutic breathwork, its benefits and what to expect during and after treatment.

The following resource from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) provides information about aromatherapy, its benefits and what to expect during and after treatment.


Tools to Help with Sleep

The following resource from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) provides information about practicing yoga to improve sleep.


Tools to Help with Stress

This resource from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) describes how to perform different types of mindful breathing patterns to promote relaxation.

This resource from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) describes how to perform different yoga poses to promote calmness and relaxation.


COVID-19 Resources


Behavioral Health

The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry provides information about ADHD and treatment approaches.

Find information about what causes sleep problems in children and what you can do to help your child.

Find information about how parents can speak to their children about mental illness.

Provides information about the signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa and bulimia and the importance of early identification and treatment.

Learn about anxiety in children, including causes, symptoms and treatment.

Learn about the signs of depression in children and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Benton discusses how she came to choose to work with young people and their families and why she’s never been more optimistic about the future of child and adolescent mental healthcare in this country.She shares her thoughts about the pros and cons of social media, the impact of the pandemic on young people and the value of outdoor activities for a children’s psyches.

Provides information about mental health and support resources for families, teens and young adults. It has affiliates in every state and in many local communities.

Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services provides resources to help children and families access the support they need during a behavioral health crisis. Review this notice for information.


For Educators

Teaching children with ADHD can be challenging at times. These strategies for educators have been found to successfully improve behavioral and academic functioning of children with ADHD.


Mental Health Resources


Suicide Prevention

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. People can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. The service is free.

Provides a brief overview of the importance of risk and protective factors as they relate to suicide and offers guidance about how communities can best use them to decrease suicide risk.

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center provides a fact sheet about youth suicide based on findings from a pilot for the National Violent Death Reporting System.


Websites

It provides thorough, user-friendly information about child anxiety and information about seeking professional help.

 ADDA's mission is to help people with ADHD lead happier, more successful lives through education, research and public advocacy. It focuses especially on the needs of adults and young adults with ADHD.

Rhonda C. Boyd, Ph.D., discussed the COVID-19 pandemic that requires us to spend more time together in our homes and has disrupted our routines.

NIMH is the largest scientific organization in the world dedicated to research focused on the understanding, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders


En español

Las terapias de energía son tratamientos de toques terapéuticos en las que los proveedores utilizan las manos para apoyar la curación y el bienestar al equilibrar el sistema energético de su hijo.

La aromaterapia utiliza aceites provenientes de raíces, hojas, semillas o flores de ciertas plantas para ayudar a mejorar el estado de ánimo de una persona o hacer que se sienta mejor.