Recognising emotional, cognitive and behavioural difficulties in school children
Parents and teachers may be the first to recognise when one of their students is having difficulty managing their emotions, thoughts or behaviour.
As a teacher, what types of symptoms should I be on the lookout for?
Examples of early signs of problems may include –
- Negative thinking (e.g. “I’m no good”, “I’m stupid” or “I can’t do it”),
- Issues of coping with transitions or change in the school routine,
- Reduced school attendance,
- Fearful behaviour,
- Panicking about future events or situations,
- Excessive crying or overt distress,
- Poor concentration in class,
- Loneliness on the playground/making or keeping friends,
- Recurrent ‘sad’ face,
- Physical complaints,
- Lack of energy, tiredness,
- Aggression,
- Excessive shyness or,
- Reassurance seeking,
What should I do if I believe that some of my students are displaying these symptoms?
Taking note of specific symptoms along with –
- How long the symptoms have been present,
- Amount of times these issues arise (i.e. when, where and how often)
- What may the antecedents,
- Child’s coping strategies to manage these difficulties and,
- How this may affect classroom behaviour
can determine the next step in contact with the welfare co-ordinator about this student. From there, an appointment can be organized with the child’s parents to discuss matters further.
Importance of early intervention
Given the high prevalence of anxiety disorders in childhood and youth, early intervention programs signify an important and necessary step to promote positive coping skills in children, families and schools. onPsych aims to assist these young people in
- Becoming more self-confident and feeling ‘in control’ of their world
- Shifting feelings of stress and vulnerability
- Making more useful decisions
- Taking more positive initiatives and,
- Becoming more personally resourceful
Getting your school started with onPsych.
4 Steps
1. Identify students who would benefit from our psychology service, contact us if you need advice.
2. Discuss your concerns with parents by providing them the parent pack as can be found under School information,
3. Give the parents detailed information the GP, Paediatrician or psychiatrist will be able to use in understanding the students problems.Parents can then take this information to their Medical Practitioner so it is easier for them to describe their child’s difficulties and identify what they hope to gain from psychological support.
4. Fax the referral to 0359897331 or email to contact@onpsych.com.au. Dr Natalie Flatt (General Manager) will be in contact with your shortly afterward to discuss an onPsych staff member visiting your school.
Important; when making the doctors appointment please inform the receptionist that the appointment is for a referral to a Psychologist under medicare item 2710/2702 and requires a long consultation.
NAME OF SCHOOL…………………………………………………….
SCHOOL CONTACT…………………………………………………………
(Name)
(Title: Student Welfare Coordinator)
(Name of school)
(Contact telephone number)
(Signed)
(Student details provided by the school)
Student Name………………………………………………………………….
School…………………………………………………………………………….
Student address………………………………………………………………..
Parent/s or Guardian Name………………………………………………..
Phone Number…………………………………………………………………
Student Date of Birth………………………………………………………..
Medicare Number…………………………………………………………….
Students presenting problems:
1.
2.
3.
Desired outcomes:
1.
2.
3.
Please do not hesitate to contact onPsych if you require further assistance.