Condition
Pediatric Schizophrenia
Key Points About Schizophrenia in Children
- Schizophrenia is a serious, life-long mental illness. It can be treated by not cured.
- A child with this disorder has unusual behavior and strange feelings. They may have delusions or hallucinations.
- Symptoms can develop slowly over time or start quickly.
- A mental health expert can diagnose schizophrenia. Ask for a referral to a psychiatrist with experience evaluating and treating children with schizophrenia.
- Treatment can include a combination of medicine, therapy and special programs.
- The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Civil Rights Act provide legal protections for your child in a public school setting.
- Schizophrenia is a difficult disease. Talk with your child’s healthcare provider about a support group for caregivers and siblings of children with schizophrenia or seek individual and family counseling.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Meet the Providers Who Treat Schizophrenia
Departments that Treat Schizophrenia
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Children's National offers assessment, diagnosis and care for children and teens with behavioral, emotional and developmental disorders. From a variety of therapy options to medication management and support for the whole family, our healthcare providers offer solutions to children’s mental health issues in inpatient and outpatient settings.