Young children aren’t small adults. ADHD, anxiety, depression, and autism look different at ages 5 to 12, and they show up at home, at school, and with friends before a child can put them into words.
At WIP-DC, Dr. Caroline Cregan, a Yale-trained child and adolescent psychiatrist, specializes in children ages 5 to 12. She works closely with parents, teachers, and therapists to understand what’s going on and build a plan that fits your child.
Dr. Cregan earned her medical degree at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and a master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she studied psychology and human development and trained in cognitive and achievement testing. She completed her psychiatry residency at Georgetown University Hospital and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at the Yale Child Study Center.
Her experience with young children runs deep: a Birth-to-Three early intervention program, clinical autism research with a pediatrics and neuropsychiatry group, a mobile mental health crisis team in Washington, DC, and ongoing consultation to schools, including a level 5 school program for grades 1 through 12.
Trouble focusing, sitting still, or controlling impulses that gets in the way at school and at home. Careful evaluation comes first, because anxiety, learning differences, and sleep problems can look like ADHD.
Worry, fears, school refusal, stomachaches before school, or meltdowns when routines change.
In young children, often irritability, withdrawal, or losing interest in play rather than obvious sadness.
Support for children on the autism spectrum, including the anxiety, attention, and behavior challenges that often come with it.
Many young children have more than one of these at once, such as ADHD with anxiety. Dr. Cregan looks at the whole picture rather than one symptom at a time.
If your child talks about wanting to die or hurting themselves, call or text 988 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Dr. Cregan specializes in children ages 5 to 12 and also sees children and teens up to age 17.
Not necessarily. Many young children do well with therapy, school supports, and parent guidance. When medication can help, Dr. Cregan explains the options, starts carefully, and follows your child closely.
Yes. With your permission, she coordinates with teachers, school counselors, and therapists, and she consults with schools, including a level 5 school program serving students in grades 1 through 12.
Yes. Visits are available in person at WIP-DC in Spring Valley or by telehealth, and many families combine the two.
No. Young children are treated with careful evaluation, medication management when appropriate, and coordination with therapists and schools. Interventional treatments are not part of care for this age group.
Call our new-patient team at (202) 525-5123 or book online and ask for an evaluation with Dr. Cregan.
For older children and teens, see child and adolescent psychiatry.
Call (202) 525-5123 or book online. Visits are in person at WIP-DC, 4325 49th Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20016, or by telehealth.
