Childhood

Ages 5–9

Children referred in this category are getting more exposure to social media, peers at school and in the neighborhood.

• They are starting to have a desire to impress their peers, which may lead to a rise in oppositional behaviors and disrespect to parents and other persons in authority.
• They are starting to develop an interest and curiosity about “adult” activity — including sex, drug use and trying to inappropriately assume authority roles with others.
• They are often referred by teachers, parents and physicians.

Some things to watch for…

Most of the areas to pay attention to are the same as in early childhood:

• Attention Span ( cant focus, often off-task, distracted when spoken to)
• Behavior ( impulsive, doesn’t follow directions, defies parents and teacher, aggressive to others)
• Mood ( appears sad, tearful, nervous or worried, irritable)
• Social skills (has trouble sharing, waiting his/her turn, playing cooperatively with others)
• Classroom performance (disruptive in classroom, interrupts, learning difficulties)

 

• Anxious, sad or withdrawn children (isolating, crying, hides from others, tantrums)
• Children with underdeveloped Social Skills ( trouble sharing, waiting, taking turns, cooperating)
• Overactive, impulsive and inattentive children (often distracted, excessive energy, cant focus and pay attention during class/structured time)