![]() Interestingly, many children with selective mutism can be very talkative and display normal behaviors at home or in another place where they feel comfortable. This is often diagnosed around 5 years old, or around the time elementary school begins.īesides refusing to speak in public, children suffering from selective mutism may also stand motionless and expressionless, turn their heads, chew or twirl hair, avoid eye contact, or withdraw into a corner to avoid talking. Selective mutism occurs when children refuse to speak in situations where talking is expected or necessary, to the extent that it interferes with school and making friends. If this is in fact interfering with your child’s educational performance, it is important to start a conversation with the school about accommodations to boost performance. It can also affect his or her ability to socialize with peers and develop and maintain relationships. Social anxiety disorder can significantly impair your child’s school performance and attendance. This includes fears of activities such as being called on in class, making a presentation, starting a conversation with a peer or even simple socialization. Social anxiety disorder, or social phobia, is an anxiety disorder characterized by an intense fear of social and performance situations. Children with separation anxiety also commonly worry about bad things happening to their parents or caregivers. Other symptoms include refusing to go to camp, or a sleepover, and demanding that someone stay with them at bedtime. School refusal is quite common with children with separation anxiety disorder. This results in being extremely homesick and feeling miserable due to not being with parents. When separation anxiety disorder occurs, a child experiences excessive anxiety away from home or when separated from parents or caregivers. Separation anxiety disorder occurs if your child is older (most often between ages 7 – 9) and is still unable to leave a family member or calm down after a family member leaves. This type of anxiety is also usually overcome with engagement in a new environment or activity. It is also common for young children to cry when first left at daycare or pre-school. ![]() The anxiety is often overcome with simple distractions. This is considered completely normal and acceptable between 18 months and three years old. Separation anxiety for a young child can occur when a parent leaves the room or is out of sight. GAD can often interfere with normal activities, including school performance, so it is important to have a conversation with the school to discuss whether accommodations are necessary. In addition to those listed symptoms, other symptoms associated with GAD include worrying about things before they happen, worrying about friends, school, or activities, constant thoughts and fears about safety, school refusal, frequent stomachaches, headaches or other body aches and clingy behavior with family members. Troubles with concentration or memory recall.Furthermore, at least one of the following symptoms must be present along with the worry/anxiety for at least six months: By the standards set in the D iagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4 th Edition (DSM IV), in order to make the diagnosis of GAD, there must be excessive worry and anxiety for the majority of the time during a minimum period of six months and the worry/anxiety must not be confined to only select triggers but a wide range of activities or occasions. Furthermore, these children often seek constant approval or reassurance from others.Īll children and teenagers have some anxiety and that is a normal part of growing up, but sometimes worries don’t go away and this is when GAD can appear. These children tend to be extremely hard on themselves and often cope with their anxiety by constantly striving for perfection. This worry and fear seems to have no real cause and does not go away even if the situation is resolved. Debilitating anxiety is considered a disability.Ĭhildhood Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)Ī child with GAD worries excessively about a variety of things including, grades, family issues, relationships with peers and performance in sports. If your child’s anxiety is affecting their educational performance, it is imperative you have a conversation with the school to consider implementing a 504 Plan or IEP to provide accommodations for your child. ![]() Left untreated, childhood anxiety disorders can result in poor school performance, poor social functioning and even substance abuse so it is important to diagnose and seek treatment at an early age. Anxiety is so common that it affects about one in eight children. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders in the United States.
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