Conditions We Treat

• Anxiety and related disorders
  • Children ages 5 to 17 who have anxiety disorders such as separation anxiety, selective mutism, social anxiety, school refusal, panic disorder and specific phobias are seen in our Mood and Anxiety Program.
  • In addition, our Mood and Anxiety program treats obsessive-compulsive disorder and related conditions including trichotillomania, excoriation disorder and tic disorders including Tourette syndrome.
  • We also treat children ages 5 to 17 who have mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder.
  • Those age 4 or younger are seen in our Early Childhood Clinic.
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Children ages 4 or younger with possible ADHD or other problems with learning, attention and behavior are seen in our Early Childhood Clinic.
  • Those ages 5 to 15 with possible ADHD or related conditions are seen in our Program to Enhance Attention, Regulation and Learning (PEARL). PEARL is not for children who have learning disabilities without ADHD. Instead, talk with your child’s school about a special-education evaluation or services that might help.
• Autism spectrum disorders

  Seattle Children’s Autism Center provides comprehensive care, including psychiatry and behavioral medicine, for children with autism spectrum disorders and other neurodevelopmental disabilities.

• Depression, bipolar disorder and related mood disorders
  • Children ages 4 or younger are seen in our Early Childhood Clinic.
  • Those ages 5 to 17 are seen in our Mood and Anxiety Program.
  • Read about depression.
• Disruptive behavior
  • Children ages 4 or younger with disruptive behavior are seen in our Early Childhood Clinic.
  • Those ages 5 to 15 with disruptive behavior are seen in our Behavior and Attention Management Program. 
• Eating disorders

  Our team works closely with other experts in the Eating Disorders Recovery Program to make sure your child receives complete care.

• Gender identity

  Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine experts are part of the team providing compassionate, gender-affirming care in our Gender Clinic for adolescents and young adults: 

  • Whose gender identity is different from their sex at birth
  • Who do not identify with traditional definitions of male or female
• Mental health needs related to another health problem

  We partner with providers from other areas of Seattle Children’s to serve children and teens who are getting medical or surgical care here for a wide range of conditions and who need mental health care or help coping with chronic illness.

• Prenatal exposure to alcohol or drugs

  Some children struggle with learning, behavior or development because of exposure to alcohol or other substances before they were born (prenatal exposures). The Specialized Neurodevelopmental Assessment and Consultation Service (SNACS) clinic offers 3 to 5 visits with a provider who specializes in evaluating and creating a care plan for children with these concerns. SNACS is part of Seattle Children’s Autism Center. Learn more about SNACS (PDF).

• Psychotic disorders

  We have providers who specialize in working with children and teens who have psychotic disorders, like schizophrenia.

• Sleep challenges
  • The Early Childhood Clinic sees children ages 4 or younger who have behavior issues along with sleep issues.
  • If your child age 5 to 17 is seen in the Mood and Anxiety Program for anxiety, depression or another condition, we will address any related sleep issues your child might have.
  • Seattle Children’s also has a Sleep Medicine Program that offers testing (sleep studies), treatment and consultation for sleep disorders that affect babies, children and young people up to age 21.

Sexual abuse or sexual aggression as the main concern. Call the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center at 888-998-6423 or the Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center at 206-744-1600.