Access to adequate assessment and services is essential to help parents, schools, and professionals working with children and adolescents. It is imperative for parents to take this proactive step to address mental health needs because illnesses, deficits, and disorders tend to manifest themselves early. Assessments provide a complex, comprehensive, and meaningful portrait of a child. It is a powerful and effective means of communication for sharing useful information about children and adolescents.
For two decades I have watched parents vacillate between feelings of pride (my son's such an individual) and fear (why is he so different?). If we examine ourselves and those around us- we have to admit, that everyone, to some extent, is different. The terms "normal" and "abnormal" are subjective, words whose interpretations can be as varied as the people who speak them. So when we worry about our kids' behavior, is it because they deviate from our own expectations of what life should be like for a "well-adjusted" 5-7-11-16 year-old, or is it because that individual in front of us seems to be struggling way more than they should? Their unconventional behavior may not sound like a big deal- and maybe it wasn't, until some well-meaning educators noticed and asked you if your child has ever been diagnosed.
A diagnosis can be a godsend, especially for families struggling to help a child who is clearly unable to function. Testing can give them some concrete answers, and offer resources where once there were none.
Today we know so much more about how the brain functions, what causes some unusual behavior, and how a child can really benefit from early intervention. More and more, children who once would have been considered slightly out of step with their peers are emerging with diagnoses of learning disabilities, sensory-integration dysfunction, dyslexia and pervasive developmental disorder, to name a few. The US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention estimates that one in 150 children has an autism-spectrum disorder; an estimated 800,000 children and adolescents in the US have received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder; attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral condition in children, affecting approximately 6%-9% of the school-aged population; 4%-6% would be a conservative estimate of the percentage of children who suffer from the symptoms of depression to a great enough extent to constitute a disorder; and the percentage of children and youth who have diagnosable anxiety disorders is somewhere in the range of 3%-4%.
A diagnosis can be a godsend, especially for families struggling to help a child who is clearly unable to function. Testing can give them some concrete answers, and offer resources where once there were none. Children are complicated and wonderful, but the following signs may indicate the need for assessment, so delays in treatment don't lead to unnecessary suffering and decline in function:
- Depression, sadness or irritability
- Frequent temper tantrums
- Persistent disobedience or aggression
- Repeated refusal to go to school or to take part in normal activities
- Constant worry or anxiety
- Persistent nightmares
- Poor grades despite strong efforts
- Decline in school performance
Children's mental health problems are real, common, and treatable. The earlier we identify academic, behavioral, mental, and emotional problems in children and adolescents, the earlier we can begin treatment and help to ensure they lead a full and productive life. Assessment results will offer insights that place "symptoms" in a useful perspective and facilitate appropriate educational interventions, behavioral strategies, and treatment options.
