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Children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder What is autism spectrum disorder? National guidelines on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) describe autism as a collective term for a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterised by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction, and by repetitive patterns of behaviour and restricted interests. The behavioural features that
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Fears life-threatening events (new edition)
Thinking about life-threatening local, national or global events, such as climate change, bushfires, floods, earthquakes, cyclones, drought, war, shootings, terrorism or pandemics, now or in the future, can threaten our sense of safety and control. Excessive worry can have a negative impact on children as well as adults. Extensive reporting and repetition of stories on
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Conduct disordered and violent
The most challenging behaviours encountered in schools are exhibited by violent, out of control, conduct disordered children. Conduct Disorder (CD) affects a small percentage of children and is typically diagnosed between 10 and 16 years of age.[1] Victoria State Government, Better Health Channel (2020). Conduct disorder. Retrieved 27 May 2020. … Continue reading It is often
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Children who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event in the past two weeks Children who experience, witness or hear about a traumatic event may be affected emotionally, socially and physically. Most children will recover after several days though for some it might take several weeks. A traumatic event is an event that involves actual
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Australian school psychologists have identified anxiety as the most common issue encountered in their work with students and their families in primary schools.[1] One in five children and adolescents have elevated symptoms of anxiety.[2] Early intervention is key to promoting positive mental health and strong learning outcomes. This ebooklet provides a brief overview of anxiety and a
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Help prevent anxiety (new ed. book 1)
Australian school psychologists have identified anxiety as the most common issue encountered in their work with students and their families in primary schools.[1] One in five children and adolescents have elevated symptoms of anxiety.[2] Early intervention is key to promoting positive mental health and strong learning outcomes. This ebooklet provides a brief overview of anxiety and a
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Depression is a mental illness that negatively affects thinking, perceptions, emotions and behaviours. The impact of depression on a child is more severe than any other mental health disorder.[1] AACAP (2007) ‘Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Depressive Disorders.’ Journal of American … Continue reading While most children or adolescents
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Friendship offers opportunities for sharing, learning, fun, excitement, self-disclosure, support, advice and long-term relationships. For many children, making and keeping friends is quite effortless, but for some it is a challenge. Sadly, about one in ten school-age children have no friends and are disliked by most of their classmates.[1] Asher, S.R., and Williams, G.A., (1996) Children
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Children who are motivated to learn generally attend school regularly, do better academically and display pro-social classroom behaviour. Unfortunately, up to 20 per cent of students in any year are described as disengaged. [1] Angus, M., McDonald, T., Ormond, C., Rybarcyk, R., Taylor, A., & Winterton, A. (2009). Trajectories of classroom behaviour and academic … Continue
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There are about 200 serious or chronic health conditions affecting Australian children and adolescents. A health condition that lasts three or more months, affects a child’s daily living, requires frequent hospitalisation, extra home care, and/or extensive medical care and treatment nationwide.[1] Mokkink, L. B., van der Lee, J. H., Grootenhuis, M. A., Offringa, M., Heymans, H.
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Working memory refers to the ability to hold information in short-term memory while simultaneously processing it. We use working memory to meaningfully participate in everyday activities such as conversations, to decode unknown words when reading, and to do mental arithmetic. For example, we may use our working memory to decode an unknown word when reading
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A recent Australian study revealed that the top two things children worry about are friends and family dying, and the environment[1] (2007, no author) ‘Behind the news surveys Australian children and asks what they worry about’ sourced … Continue reading Other top worries include family issues, concerns about physical appearance, losing or keeping friends, homework pressures, the future,
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It is not unusual for children to sometimes tell lies or embellish the truth, particularly in the preschool and early primary years. However, lying is problematic if it occurs frequently, becomes a habit or is hurtful to the child or to others. Typically, a child develops a sense of right and wrong by about nine
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Almost one-fifth of all Australian children are overweight and approximately 6 per cent are obese.[1]Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA), (October, 2008). 2007 Australian National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Similar patterns are found in other Western countries, including the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Factors that may cause a child to be overweight
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Children who school refuse It is not unusual for children to be reluctant to go to school from time to time. However, the effects of poor school attendance are cumulative and can impact engagement and lead to a decline in achievement. More serious than separation anxiety or being late to school on occasion, school refusal
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Children who experience separation anxiety Separation anxiety can affect children of all ages. About four per cent of primary school age children experience excessive separation anxiety when separated from their parent or primary care giver[1] Schniering, C.A., Hudson, J. L., & Rapee, R. M. (2000). Issues in the diagnosis and assessment of anxiety disorders in
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