- General signs of distress in a child that warrant further
assessment.
- Symptoms
of anxiety or depression
- Social withdrawal
- Aggressive,
mean or violent behavior toward others
- Low self-esteem
- Attention
problems, failure to learn or developmental delay
- Extreme
perfectionist, fearful or intolerant of own mistakes
- Extreme
need for attention
- Regressive
or childlike behavior
- Inappropriate
hygiene
- Parental
Child: Child takes parental role with siblings or has excessive
domestic responsibilities
- Sudden change
in behavior or school performance
- In late
childhood & adolescence: eating disorders; sexually active
before age 15, or multiple partners; pregnancy; self-mutilation;
attempted suicide; running away.
- Action:
When you observe general signs of distress:
- Interview
the parent(s) and child
- Document
in the chart
S: What
the child & parent(s) said. Use quotation marks to document
exact words.
O: What
behavior, signs and symptoms you observed.
A: Your
assessment of stress related problems.
P: Describe
Follow up plans.
- Schedule
follow-up appointments to assess changes over time
- Refer to
a mental health professional with training in child development
and request a report
- Consult
school (teacher or social worker)
© B. Ambuel,
Family Peace Project, Family & Community Medicine, Medical College
of Wisconsin, 210 NW Barstow, #201, Waukesha, WI, 53188, (414)548-6903.
The Family Peace Project provides training and consultation to professionals,
organizations & communities. Permission granted to copy this
protocol for noncommercial use. Your contribution to the Family
Peace Project is tax-deductible. Updated: 03/20/95 4:17 PM
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