Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health

A child sitting on the floor playing with her child care provider

Mental health and development is as critically important to children as it is adults. 

If your child is ages 0-3 and you’re looking for more information on mental health, or if the Illinois BEACON assessment portal redirected you here, you’re in the right place!

If you’re looking for a tool to help assess your child’s behavioral development and they are over the age of three, visit Illinois’ Behavioral Health Care and Ongoing Navigation, or BEACON, portal to access the newest resource for Illinois residents to access information on behavioral and mental health.    

What is Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health?

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health is all the elements that contribute to the developing capacity of the infant and toddler to

  • form close and secure adult and peer relationships
  • experience, manage, and express a full range of emotions
  • explore the environment and learn

…all in the context of family, community, and culture. 

Addressing Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health seeks to support 

  • the needs and strengths of the child
  • the needs and strengths of the primary caregiver
  • the quality of the caregiving relationship
  • and the environmental factors that affect these three things.

Recognizing mental health concerns in young children

  • Changes in feeding, toileting, sleeping habits
  • Externalizing behavior, like excessive crying, biting, tantrums, and aggression
  • Internalizing behavior, like social withdrawal, and fearfulness
  • Regressions to earlier stages of development

 

Early Mental Health Challenges are Common, and Easily Addressed

Twenty to twenty-five percent of children in the United States will experience some form of childhood trauma before they reach adulthood, and infants, toddlers, and young children can experience significant psychological distress. Of children ages zero to five, nine to fourteen percent experience mental health challenges, and by age two the rate is the same that we would find in adolescence.

However, with appropriate interventions, challenges can be addressed and positive outcomes can be achieved. Positive social-emotional development in young children is supported by:

  • Responsive relationships with primary caregivers
  • Understanding/adapting to individual temperaments
  • Encouraging social-emotional learning in every day routines (e.g. sensory play, exploring interests)
  • Teaching words to understand emotions
  • Recognizing culture/family traditions to shape identity

 

Who can help identify or confirm a mental health concern?

Parents may be wondering what they can do if they’re concerned about their child’s mental health, and the first step is seeking professional assistance. 

Primary Care Providers
Medicaid covers Primary Care Providers to screen children for mental health concerns during well-child visits or when a concern is raised. Contact your Medicaid Care Coordinator or private insurance for more information.

Child Care Providers
Certified Community Mental Health Centers offer a variety of mental health services to individuals and families. Their programs include outpatient therapy, crisis intervention, case management, medication management, substance abuse treatment, community support services, and prevention and education programs. These centers aim to improve mental health and well-being within their communities. To find a community health center near you, go to IDHS: Office Locator and select Mental Health and your county.

Early Intervention
Early Intervention is a program in Illinois that provides supports and services for families to help their children under age 3 meet developmental milestones. The services include developmental evaluations and assessments, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, developmental therapy, service coordination, psychological services, and social work services. The program is for families with an eligible infant or toddler from birth to three years old. If you are interested in Early Intervention services, click on the following link to find your local Child and Family Connections (CFC) Office by selecting your county: IDHS: Office Locator. Call your local CFC to let them know you want to refer your child.    

Early Childhood Special Education
Early Childhood Special Education services for children, three through five years of age and their families are provided through local school districts and special education cooperatives for all students who qualify for an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Professionals with training and expertise in special education services implement the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part B, by supporting the educational needs of young children and families. Early childhood special education professionals and related services personnel provide specialized educational services to children with disabilities in a variety of settings such as early childhood, preschool, child care, prekindergarten/Preschool for All, Head Start, and other early childhood settings to meet the developmental learning needs of these children. In addition, families and early childhood providers may request information about appropriate expectations for children’s development.

If a parent/guardian is concerned with their child’s development, contact the local school district to request a special education evaluation. 

Early Childhood Care and Education Providers
Professionals in home visiting programs and early care and education programs are trained to recognize, screen, and support the social-emotional needs of young children.

 

Additional Resources

For specific instructions on using this resource please see  Get the Most Out of SPIDER.

For more on Illinois’ efforts to support early childhood mental health services and support visit What is Early Childhood Mental Health - Illinois Cares for Kids.

In addition, if you’re looking for more information on all the ways Illinois is supporting young parents, caregivers, and pregnant persons visit IllinoisCaresforKids.org.

  • If you are experiencing anxiety, depression, or a behavioral health crisis, please call or text 988 to reach a trained crisis counselor 24 hours a day or connect via chat. This service is available for people of all ages, including children and adolescents in crisis.