AHANA HOSPITALS
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Developmentally informed assessment and mental-health support for children, teenagers and their families.
Urgent concerns in a child or teenager
Seek urgent help if a young person has attempted or planned suicide, cannot remain safe, is severely confused or agitated, has rapidly worsening psychosis or mania, or is at risk of serious harm, abuse or neglect.
View urgent helpWhat is child and adolescent psychiatry?
Child and adolescent psychiatry considers emotional wellbeing, behaviour, development, learning, physical health, family relationships and the child’s wider environment. Assessment is adapted to age and communication needs. The aim is not to label ordinary childhood variation, but to understand persistent or severe difficulties and identify support that fits the young person and family.
When might an assessment help?
Consider professional support when difficulties persist, cause significant distress, disrupt development or interfere with home, school, friendships or safety.
Mood and anxiety
Persistent sadness, irritability, worry, panic, avoidance, fears, self-criticism or loss of interest.
Behaviour and regulation
Severe outbursts, aggression, impulsivity, attention difficulties, sleep problems or changes that are hard to manage.
Development and learning
Concerns about communication, social interaction, attention, learning, sensory needs or developmental progress.
Eating, self-harm or unusual experiences
Changes in eating, self-injury, suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, marked suspiciousness or significant deterioration.
What to expect
Assessment often uses information from more than one source because a young person may behave differently at home, school and in the clinic.
01
Hear the young person
The clinician provides an age-appropriate opportunity to describe feelings, experiences, strengths and priorities.
02
Understand development and context
Pregnancy and birth history, milestones, school, friendships, family life, health, sleep and recent stress are reviewed.
03
Gather useful information
With appropriate consent, input from parents, caregivers, teachers or other clinicians may clarify patterns across settings.
04
Agree a family-centred plan
Recommendations may include guidance, school strategies, therapy, parent work, medication, further assessment or referral.
Support may include
Plans should reflect the young personu2019s age, needs, preferences, family circumstances and the best available evidence.
Parent and caregiver guidance
Practical support for routines, communication, emotional regulation, boundaries and responding to difficult behaviour.
Psychological therapy
Age-appropriate individual, family or group interventions for anxiety, mood, trauma, behaviour and other concerns.
School collaboration
When appropriate and consented, recommendations may support attendance, learning, accommodations and communication with school.
Medication when indicated
Medication may be considered for some conditions after careful assessment, discussion and age-appropriate monitoring.
Developmental support
Further evaluation or multidisciplinary input may be recommended for attention, learning, autism or other developmental concerns.
Safety and recovery planning
Plans address warning signs, coping strategies, family contacts, urgent help and gradual return to valued activities.
Working with parents while respecting the young person
Parents and caregivers are important partners, but children and teenagers also need privacy appropriate to their age and understanding. The clinician should explain confidentiality and its limits, including when information must be shared to protect the young person or someone else from serious harm.
Frequently asked questions
1. Does my child need a diagnosis to attend?
No. Assessment can begin with changes in mood, behaviour, learning, sleep, relationships or functioning.
2. Will parents be present throughout?
The format varies. Clinicians may speak with the family together and also offer the young person time to talk privately when appropriate.
3. Will the school be contacted?
Only when helpful and with appropriate consent, except where safeguarding duties require information sharing.
4. Does every child need medication?
No. Treatment may involve guidance, environmental changes, therapy, family work, school support, medication or a combination.
5. How are developmental concerns assessed?
The team reviews development and functioning across settings and may recommend structured assessment or input from other professionals.
6. What should we bring?
Bring current medicines, previous reports and relevant school or developmental information if available. A brief timeline of concerns is useful.
Clinical review
Dr. Vikhram RamasubramanianMD (General Medicine), MD (Psychiatry)
Consultant Psychiatrist, Ahana Hospitals
Clinical review: 07 September 2026
Next review: September 2027
Clinical sources and references
World Health Organization: person-centred mental-health services. NICE: service-user experience and condition-specific guidance. National Institute of Mental Health: mental-health treatments. Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 (India).
Arrange an assessment for your child or teenager
Contact Ahana Hospitals to discuss what has changed and which child and adolescent pathway may be appropriate.