| It is not uncommon for children, even under 5, to have | | | | vulnerable children in the class will often be the first to |
| difficulties with anxiety. There are a number of | | | | show signs of anxiety, usually at home, even though |
| conditions in childhood that are characterised by | | | | they may not have been the target of the teacher's |
| severe anxiety and these include school refusal | | | | words or actions. |
| (school phobia), social phobia, elective mutism, | | | | What do I do if my child is experiencing anxiety? |
| separation anxiety disorder and a variety of phobias. | | | | The first thing to do is to talk to your child (if possible) |
| Just how and why some children succumb to these | | | | about their feelings. Say something like, "It seems to be |
| difficulties is not clearly understood as yet but there is | | | | you have been upset a lot lately, is there anything I can |
| often a clear family correspondence. You often hear | | | | help you with?" Open ended questions often lead to |
| parents say, "Oh, my grandmother was so nervous all | | | | useful information. If the child identifies a source of |
| the time, she rarely left the house." or something along | | | | anxiety then you can try to resolve the problem. |
| those lines. | | | | Speak to people who may be able to change |
| Children on the autistic spectrum often experience | | | | something in order to help the child relax more. It may |
| severe anxiety however because their communication | | | | be necessary for you to inform someone that their |
| difficulties can be quite severe they tend to act out | | | | words or actions are causing upset to your child. Don't |
| their feelings rather than talk about them. It is important | | | | be shy about doing so. After all, it's your child's health |
| for parents of these children to be vigilant to any signs | | | | that is at stake. |
| of behavioural disturbance and thoughtfully consider | | | | If you can't solve the problem and your child continues |
| that the child may be anxious about something. | | | | to suffer or develops severe symptoms such as panic |
| There are times when life events can cause a child to | | | | attacks, uncontrollable sobbing, bed wetting or other |
| be extremely anxious. An unfortunate common | | | | significant behaviours then you may need to seek |
| example is the overly harsh teacher who shouts and | | | | professional help. Anxiety difficulties are often easily |
| punishes the class or other children. It is well | | | | treated with cognitive behaviour therapy and a short |
| documented in the literature that a child does not have | | | | course of counselling can be extremely helpful and |
| to be punished him or her self to be upset by harsh | | | | often totally resolve the problem. |
| criticism or discipline. In cases like this the most | | | | |