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Parenting Early-Schoolers Assessments
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Childhood Asthma
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| Does my child have asthma? |
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Chronic asthma is the most common long-term children's disease, affecting about 1-2% of children. Some people only display one symptom such as coughing or wheezing after exercise, or persistent coughing at night. Although these one symptom cases may not be chronic asthma, 15-20% of all children will have non-chronic asthma symptoms. An asthma attack occurs when the bronchial airways become inflammed, obstructing the airway and affecting breathing. Asthma attacks can be extremely mild or they may be serious enough to cause death. Asthma attacks are most often triggered by exercise, infection, allergies, and weather. The better you understand your child's asthma, the better you will be able to control it. Take this quick assessment to learn the signs of childhood asthma and help you determine if your child may have asthma.
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Diabetes
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| Do I have a symptoms of diabetes? |
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A person with diabetes has too much glucose (sugar) in the blood and not enough in the body's cells. The symptoms of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are similar. With Type 1 diabetes, the body stops producing insulin, creating high glucose levels, because the insulin producing cells have been destroyed. In Type 2 diabetes, the body's cells become resistant to the insulin that is being produced. Either way, your body sends out warning signs or symptoms to let you know your cells aren't getting the glucose they need. Parents often 'overdiagnose' diabetes in their children. Just drinking a lot or dry, itchy skin alone is not a strong indicator of diabetes, but when combined with other diabetes symptoms may be cause for concern. Take this quick assessment to learn the symptoms of diabetes and help you determine if you or your child may have diabetes.
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Cold or Flu
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| Do I have a simple cold or the flu? |
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Do you have a simple cold or the flu? Why does it matter when you still feel so rotten? There are treatments for the flu that may help you get better faster. Also, if you have the flu, you have probably exposed other people and they will appreciate it if you warn them so they can take preventative medicine and avoid getting sick too. (As bad as they feel for you, they don't want to be sick with you!) Take this quick assessment to learn the signs of flu and help you determine if you or your child has the flu or just a cold.
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Seasonal Allergies
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| Do I have seasonal allergies? |
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Spring allergies are the most common as trees, flowers, and weeds grow and pollenating bees are busy. Fall is the second common allergy season, with different plants blooming and molds are more active. People who are allergic to the spring and fall pollens also tend to be sensitive to indoor irritants like dust mites, animal dander, and molds, often leading to year-round allergy symptoms. Take this quick assessment to learn the signs of seasonal allergies and help you determine if you or your child suffers from seasonal allergies.
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Food Allergy
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| Am I allergic to certain foods? |
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About 1.5% of adults and up to 6% of children under age 3 in the U.S. (or about 4 million people) have a true food allergy. It usually isn't a 'new' food that causes an allergic reaction. People often develop an allergy to a food he/she has eaten many times. The most common food allergies in children are eggs, milk, peanuts, soy and wheat. Children typically outgrow their allergies to milk, eggs, soy, and wheat. Children usually will not outgrow allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, or shrimp. The most common foods to cause allergies in adults are shrimp, lobster, crab and other shellfish, peanuts, walnuts, and other tree nuts, fish, and eggs. Unlike children, adults do not usually 'outgrow' or lose their food allergies. Take this quick assessment to learn the signs of food allergies and help you determine if you or your child is allergic to certain foods.
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Childhood Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
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| Does my child have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? |
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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common problem in children and is recognized as one cause of daytime attention and behavior problems. Unlike adults with OSA, who are often overweight, young children with OSA are usually not overweight, making children with OSA harder to recognize and diagnose. The main treatment for children with OSA is surgery to remove the enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Take this quick assessment to learn the signs of childhood OSA and help you determine if your child may have obstructive sleep apnea.
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Childhood Brain Tumor
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| Does my child have symptoms of a brain tumor? |
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A brain tumor is any growth of abnormal cells or the uncontrolled growth of cells in the brain. The tumor may originate in the brain (primary brain tumor) or spread to the brain from another part of the body. Tumors can directly destroy brain cells or they can damage cells indirectly by causing inflammation and compressing other parts of the brain as the tumor grows, by causing the brain to swell (edema), or by causing pressure inside the skull. The cause of primary brain tumors is unknown, but some tumors tend to be hereditary while others are congenital and were present before birth. The symptoms of brain tumors depend on tumor size, type, and location. Bad headaches and vomiting are symptoms with many common causes, but when combined with any of the other brain tumor symptoms increases the possibility of a brain tumor. Take this quick assessment to learn the signs of brain tumors in children and help you determine if your child should be evaluated for a possible brain tumor.
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
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| Does my child have ADHD? |
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When children have problems at school with attention span, distraction, sitting still, or impulsive behaviors, the first suggestion is that they may have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). ADD (attention deficit disorder) is an older term that is no longer used by professionals. It was the diagnosis used for ADHD where hyperactivity was not present. Now, ADHD is used with or without hyperactivity. ADHD is diagnosed as one of 3 types: Inattention Type ADHD, Hyperactive/Insensitive Type ADHD, or Combined Type ADHD (where symptoms of both Inattention and Hyperactive/Insensitive Types are present). Most children and adolescents have Combined Type ADHD. Take this quick assessment to learn more about the symptoms of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and help you determine whether or not your child should be tested for ADHD. These questions are adapted from the DSM-IV (the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) diagnostic criteria for ADHD.
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Learning Disabilities
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| Does my child have learning disabilities? |
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Learning disabilities are common - as many as 1 out of 5 people in the U.S. has a learning disability. Learning disabilities need to be identified early in school since school requires children to focus in reading, writing, math, listening, speaking, and reasoning - the very things children with learning disabilities struggle with the most. The fist sign of a learning disability is that parents and/or teachers notice the child is not learning as expected. The child will not show all, or even most, or these signs; however, if a child shows a number of these signs, parents and teachers should consider an evaluation to confirm or rule out a learning disability. Take this quick assessment if you think your child may have a learning disability.
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Separation Anxiety Disorder
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| Does my child have symptoms of separation anxiety disorder? |
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Do you feel like your child never wants to be away from you and seems stressed when you are separated? Maybe your child suffers from Separation Anxiety Disorder. Separation anxieties are normal for infants or toddlers. Separation Anxiety Disorder generally occurs in older children, still younger than 18. Studies show that Separation Anxiety Disorder is more common in girls and about 4% of children have it. Situations like moving to a different home, a death or illness in the family, or trauma increases the risk for a child developing Separation Anxiety Disorder. Early intervention, with therapy or medications, leads to a more successful recovery. Adults with unresolved Separation Anxiety Disorder tend to have difficulty moving for college or a job, getting married, or being separated from their spouse or children. Take this quick assessment to learn the symptoms of Separation Anxiety Disorder and help you determine if your child may suffer from it.These questions are adapted from the DSM-IV (the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) diagnostic criteria for Separation Anxiety Disorder.
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Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
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| Does my child have Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)? |
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Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is when a child develops a pattern of disobedient, hostile, and defiant behavior toward authority figures. All children are oppositional from time to time (particularly when tired, hungry, stressed or upset) and they will argue, talk back, disobey, and defy parents, teachers, and other adults. These behaviors are a normal part of development for very young children, but parents generally notice symptoms of ODD by age 8 when the behaviors have not improved. By about age 8, the openly uncooperative and hostile behavior may be ODD when it is so frequent and extreme when compared with other children of the same age and when it affects the child's social, family, and school life. The causes of ODD are unknown, but many parents report that their child with ODD was more rigid and demanding from an early age than the child's siblings. Experts believe biological and environmental factors may have a role. Take this quick assessment to learn the signs of Oppositional Defiant Disorder and help you determine if your child may have ODD.
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Childhood Bipolar Disorder
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| Does my child have Bipolar Disorder? |
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Bipolar Disorder is one of the most misunderstood disorders in children (may also be called 'early-onset Bipolar Disorder'). Many children who have Bipolar Disorder are misdiagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD), since typical adult Bipolar symptoms are applied to the child. Much more is known now about Bipolar Disorder in children and how the symptoms differ from adults. Children are at particular risk if both sides of the family has a history of mood disorders, like depression or Bipolar Disorder, or alcoholism. Recent research shows that over 80% of children who have Bipolar Disorder come from families where mood disorders or alcoholism run in the mother's family and in the father's family. If your child has frequent mood swings and seems totally out-of-control and you are completely exasperated trying to figure him/her out, take this quick assessment to learn the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder in children and help you determine if your child should be evaluated for Bipolar Disorder.
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Gifted Child
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| Is my child gifted? |
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Parents, friends, teachers, or doctors are usually the first to notice a child's rapid development, intelligence, skills, or abilities. Gifted or very able children need to be identified so that their intellectual, social, and emotional needs can be met and not stifled. It is easy to destroy a gifted child's self-esteem if parents, teachers, or peers constantly put them down, see them as a threat, or criticize them for always knowing the answers or asking questions. Gifted children can be overlooked for a number of reasons: they may not perform well in school, they may appear lazy or inattentive, they may daydream, they may be disruptive in shool, they may be uncooperative, hard to motivate, or critical of teachers and classmates. It is only a tiny minority of gifted children who become exceptionally young musicians, chess champions, or outstanding athletes. Most gifted children are good problem solvers, have a wide range of interests, good general knowledge, a great ability to concentrate (when challenged), and an amazing sense of purpose and strength of will. Take this quick assessment to learn more about the characteristics to watch for to help you determine if your child may be gifted.
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Child Overweight Risk
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| Is my child at risk of becoming overweight? |
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There is a lot of news lately suggesting that obesity is or is quickly becoming an epidemic in the U.S. Our children are not far behind - as adult obesity increases, so does childhood obesity. Most overweight children simply eat too much, especially unhealthy foods, and aren't active enough. Researchers have found that about 25 percent of children and adolescents are overweight, double the percentage of 30 years ago. Obese children ages 10 to 13 reportedly have a 70 percent chance of becoming obese adults. Parents who recognize that their child is at risk for obesity can begin to make lifestyle changes to lessen that risk, like joining your children in active play and introducing new and healthier foods. While genetics does play a part in obesity, most people can control their weight through activity, exercise, and healthy eating. Not every child who is high risk will become overweight and even children who are not overweight right now may still be at risk of becoming overweight in their adolescence or adulthood if they have these high risk habits. Take this quick assessment to learn obesity risk factors and help you determine if you should make some lifestyle changes to reduce your child's risk of obesity.
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Bullied Child
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| Is my child being bullied? |
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Nearly half of all children are bullied at some time during their school years and 10% are bullied on a regular basis. Bullies often choose children who are passive, easily intimidated, or have few friends. Victims are often smaller or younger and have a hard time defending themselves. Bullying interferes with the victim's social and emotional development, school performance, and many victim's think about suicide. If you are concerned that your child may be victim of bullying, take this quick assessment to learn more about the warning signs and help you determine if the child may need help.
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Child Bully
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| Is my child a bully? |
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The Stop Bullying Now campaign defines bullying as 'aggressive behavior that is intentional, repeated over time, and involves an imbalance of power or strength. A child who is being bullied has a hard time defending himself or herself'. Also, 15-20% of children who are bullied say they sometimes bully others. Bullying is serious, since bullied children may become depressed, lonely, anxious, have low self-esteem, feel sick, and think about suicide. If you are concerned that a child you know may be bullying other children, take this quick assessment to learn more about the warning signs and help you determine if the child may be a bully.
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Pedophile Grooming
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| Is my child being groomed by a pedophile? |
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The FBI estimates that there is one child molester per square mile in the United States. The majority of molested children are victimized by family members, close relatives or people who have easy access to them. Is your child being groomed by a pedophile? Take this quick assessment to learn more about the warning signs of pedophile grooming and help you determine if your child may need help.
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Neglected Child
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| Is this child a victim of neglect? |
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Neglect is the most common type of child abuse, but the least reported. Because neglect usually leaves no visible scars, it is more likely to go undetected. Neglect occurs when a child's caregiver does not provide for basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision. Neglect includes failing to provide a safe environment, unsanitary or hazardous living conditions, leaving a young child unattended to go to work or other activities. Because neglect happens repeatedly, neglected children may grow up believing this is a normal way of life and will continue the cycle in their own families. If you are concerned that a child you know may be a victim of neglect, take this quick assessment to learn more about the warning signs and help you determine if the child may indeed be neglected.
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Negligent Parent
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| Is this parent neglecting their child? |
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Neglect is the most common type of child abuse, but the least reported. Because neglect usually leaves no visible scars, it is more likely to go undetected. Neglect occurs when a child's caregiver does not provide for basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision. Neglect includes failing to provide a safe environment, unsanitary or hazardous living conditions, leaving a young child unattended to go to work or other activities. Because neglect happens repeatedly, neglected children may grow up believing this is a normal way of life and will continue the cycle in their own families. If you are concerned about the actions or attitudes of a child's parent, and have concerns that the child may be a victim of neglect, take this quick assessment to learn more about the warning signs negligent parents often display. Educators are usually the best at detecting negligence because they interact with the child and the parent(s).
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Physical Child Abuse
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| Is this child a victim of physical abuse? |
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Any nonaccidental physical injury caused by a child's caretaker is, by definition, physical abuse (even if the injury was not intentional). Physical abuse may result from extreme discipline or from overly harsh punishment by a parent or other caretaker who lacks self-control during stress or while using alcohol or drugs. Physical abuse can also result when a child is intentionally burned, beaten, kicked, punched, bitten, or any other action that could cause injury. Normal childhood injuries and bruises typically occur to the knees, elbows, forearms, or brows. Soft tissue areas, such as cheeks, buttocks, or thighs are not often injured during normal play. Also, bruises that happen during normal play are rarely in distinct shapes, like a hand, belt buckle, or adult teeth marks. You have probably already seen physical signs that have you concerned that the child may be abused, so this assessment focuses on the behavioral signs that may support suspicions of abuse. If you are concerned that a child you know may be physically abused, take this quick assessment to learn more about the warning signs and help you determine if the child may be abused.
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Sexual Child Abuse
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| Is this child a victim of sexual abuse? |
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Unlike physical abuse, there are often no obvious outward signs of child sexual abuse. However, the long-term emotional and psychological damage of sexual abuse can be devastating to the child. A sexually abused child can develop a number of disturbing feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Some sexually abused children become child abusers themselves, prostitutes, or have other serious problems as adults. It is important to be able to detect and help an abused child get the treatment that can reduce the risk that the child will develop these serious problems later in life. If you are concerned that a child you know may be a victim of sexual abuse, take this quick assessment to learn more about the warning signs and help you determine if the child may be abused.
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