How A Child May Display Symptoms Of Anxiety

Anxiety is something we all feel. In fact, it’s normal to feel anxious. It’s our body’s way of letting us know that something is unsafe or harmful. It’s our body’s way of revving up our energy supply so that we can run, hide, or think quickly on our feet. But what happens when that anxiety is something that you feel often, like every day? And it can sometimes, or all the time, get in the way of what you or your children want to do. Then, it’s a problem.

Children who suffer from anxiety may exhibit different symptoms than adults.

Withdrawal
Isolation
Agitation
Restlessness
Inattention, poor focus
Somatic symptoms – headaches,
Stomachaches
Avoidance
Tantrums
Crying

Anxious children may not be aware of their anxiety. They recognize the unpleasant feeling but do not know how to alleviate it, which can lead to behavioral expressions of anxiety.

Here are some examples of how a child may display symptoms of anxiety:

Refusing to go to school
Meltdowns before school about clothing, hair, shoes, socks
Meltdowns after school about homework
Difficulties with transitions within the school, and between school and an activity/sport
Difficulty settling down for bed
High expectations for schoolwork, homework and sports performance

Differentiating Anxiety from Behavioral Issues

It’s very easy as a parent to think that your child has a behavioral problem, an Oppositional Defiance Disorder even. However, look closer. There’s a strong likelihood that your child is anxious, very anxious.

Rule In and Rule Out

Yes, and the two complicate each other. Two very common disorders that are comorbid with anxiety are Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Learning Disabilities (LD), and sometimes your child’s behaviors and complaints may look like ADHD or an LD but the truth is, it’s anxiety.

Often times, an anxious child is preoccupied with thoughts and appears to be distracted in class. Your child may be losing chunks of class instruction, which is often seen as being due to an attention disorder like ADHD. And, when your child is losing instruction, she may not be able to complete schoolwork. This is often mistaken for a learning disability.

The flip side is that your child may have ADHD or LD and is anxious about his weaknesses, thereby there is comorbid anxiety.

School Supports

So, now that you know what it is, how can you help your child at school?

Types of Plans and Accommodations

There are three types of plans that your child may qualify for with anxiety an Intervention and Referral Service Plan (I&RS Plan), a 504 Accommodation Plan, or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

An I&RS Plan is created by your Guidance Counselor, Teacher, and your Principal who will sit down with you and review your child’s needs within the classroom. Within this plan, accommodations can be provided without a diagnosis. However, it is a short-term plan that will be reviewed again within 4-8 weeks. The goal is to get the ‘situation’ under control and to eliminate the plan.

If your child is suffering from a peak in anxiety due to a new stressor, such as a move, death in the family, divorce, parent illness, or change in a parent’s work status, this is a good plan to have.

A 504 Accommodation Plan is another type of plan that requires a diagnosis. So you will need a formal document indicating that your child is suffering from anxiety and the specific anxiety disorder by name. This plan will also give your child accommodations in the classroom. The plan provides annual reviews. Through this plan, your child can also be provided with statewide testing accommodations, such as small group administration, providing extended time, having directions read to your child, etc).

An IEP is offered to your child when there is a need for an academic program because your child’s anxiety is interfering with his ability to access the curriculum. Your child would potentially be eligible under the category of Emotionally Disabled (ED), or Other Health Impaired (OHI).

Your child’s academic program would provide support to help complete assignments and participate in class due to anxiety or a possible comorbid learning disability. For example, your child may need to have a special education teacher or a paraprofessional to help your child to make sense of assignments that are perceived as frightening and to break them down. Your child may need to have a quiet place within the school building where she can go when she feels overwhelmed and needs to decompress.

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Additional Support Services

Your child may also need a related service, such as Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy or Counseling (by the School Social Worker or School Psychologist). These services are not available through the other two plans.

Parental Guidance and Support

As a parent, we are always trying to figure out how to help our child function at their best. Sometimes, it just takes us a little time to figure out what is happening or going on. Be patient and forgiving with yourself. These are our babies and we are not objective about them. We are emotional. If you see some of these behaviors and symptoms with your child, you may have found your “why” answer.

Dr. Liz Matheis is a clinical and school psychologist in Parsippany, NJ, who provides assessment, psychotherapy, consulting, and advocacy for children and families managing autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, and learning disabilities (www.psychconsult.weebly.com). She is also a contributor to several popular press magazines.

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This post originally appeared on our March/April 2015 Magazine