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Parenting Pre-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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Serious Illness
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| Does my child have symptoms of a serious illness? |
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How do you know if your child's illness is minor or serious? Children may be too young to tell you they are sick. Sometimes children don't recognize symptoms or they will ignore them. Children should have regular checkups and parents should always follow-up on their instincts that something serious may be wrong. The symptoms listed in this assessment may be signs of a serious illness. If a child has persistent symptoms, they should get medical attention immediately. Take this quick assessment to learn the symptoms of a serious illness and help you determine if your child should get medical attention.
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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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Colicky Baby
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| Does my child have symptoms of colic? |
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It is not unusual for a baby with colic to cry for 3 hours a day, several days a week. Experts are not sure what causes colic, which begins at about 2 weeks old. Fortunately, colic goes away as the baby matures and is normally gone by about 3 or 4 month old. Colic can be exhausting and emotionally draining for parents. If you ever feel yourself losing control, get help or take a minute to calm down. Never shake a baby. Shaking a baby out of frustration can cause permanent brain damage or death. (See our Shaken Baby Syndrome Assessment.) Take this quick assessment to learn more about the symptoms of a colicky baby and help you determine whether or not your baby might be suffering from colic.
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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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Autism
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| Does my child have symptoms of autism? |
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Autism is a developmental disorder causing delays or disabilities when it comes to social skills such as ordinary conversation, eye contact, and emotional understanding. These issues usually lead to impaired social interaction and problems with verbal and nonverbal communication. People with autism often have unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests. Autism also causes delays in developing fine and gross motor skills. Experts estimate that 3 to 6 children out of every 1,000 will have autism. For unknown reasons, boys are four times more likely to have autism than girls. What causes autism in unknown, but it does seem to run in families, and it is not contagious. It may not be easy to identify a person with autism. Autistic people may have high or low IQ’s. They may be chatty or silent, outgoing or shy, good or bad students. Some have unusual talents, other do not. Some are easygoing while others have severe behavior issues. Take this quick assessment to learn more about the symptoms of autism to help you determine whether or not your child may be autistic.
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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 (Birth to Age 2)
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| Is my child (infant or toddler) gifted? |
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Some children show signs of giftedness at a very young age. Keep in mind, however, that many gifted children do not show signs this early, but begin to show them later. Also know that when parents are aware of the gifted characteristics, they may teach and nurture their child in these areas, resulting in the child merely appearing to be gifted. A truly gifted child shows interest and progress with very little parental encouragement or coaching. It is important to identify gifted children as early as possible so they can be guided and encouraged to develop themselves to their fullest. Take this quick assessment to learn more about the characteristics (suggested by Inderbir Kaur Sandhu, Ph.D.) to watch for to help you determine if your child may be gifted.
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Gifted Child (2 to 4 Years Old)
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| Is my young child gifted? |
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Most gifted children show signs before they begin school. Some children merely appear to be gifted. This may happen when parents are aware of the gifted characteristics, then teach and nurture their child in these areas. A truly gifted child shows interest and progress with very little parental encouragement or coaching. Ask your gifted child's pre-school teacher to observe him/her, looking for unusual talents, skills, or abilities. Remember too that a gifted child can also have learning disabilities. Unfortunately, the disability is usually recognized while the giftedness is not. It is important to identify gifted children as early as possible so they can be guided and encouraged to develop themselves to their fullest. Take this quick assessment to learn more about the characteristics (suggested by Inderbir Kaur Sandhu, Ph.D.) to watch for to help you determine if your child may be gifted.
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Spoiled Child
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| Is my child spoiled? |
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All children act spoiled in some ways or at some times. If not, how will they know what they can get, or get away with, if they don't throw a tantrum once in a while? A few spoiled behaviors, even if seen often, does not necessarily mean a child is actually spoiled. Some behaviors will be part of a child's personality no matter how the parents respond to it. A spoiled child is not really happy and giving in, though it may stop the whining and tantrum for now, only teaches a child that bad behavior gets him what he wants. The more of these behaviors you see consistently from your child, the greater chance your child really is spoiled and better parenting skills (setting limits, creating routines, and being consistent) are required to fix it. Do other people think your kids are spoiled? Are your kids really spoiled? Are your nieces, nephews, or best friend's kids spoiled? This quick assessment can help you see common behaviors of a spoiled child and help you determine if your child or a child you know really is spoiled.
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Toilet Training Readiness
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| Is my child ready to be toilet trained? |
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Is your child ready to be toilet trained or is it just that you want them to be trained? In general, the younger you start toilet training, the longer it usually takes. Girls tend to be ready younger and are generally easier to toilet train than boys. Remember, children and parents are individuals. As a parent, consider your own feelings and stress level about toilet training, your child's ability, and your expectations of your child. Kids just seem to know or sense your stress and pressure. The more you want them trained, the less likely they are to cooperate. A child will not toilet train until he/she decides, no matter how many readiness signs there are. However, the more readiness signs your child shows, the quicker and more stress-free the process will probably be. Take this quick assessment to learn more about the signs of toilet training readiness and help you determine if your child may be ready.
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Shaken Baby Syndrome
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| Does this child have signs of shaken baby syndrome? |
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Shaken Baby Syndrome is a severe head injury caused when an infant or child is shaken violently. It usually occurs to children younger than 2, but could occur to children up to age 5. Shaking a baby or young child can cause permanent brain damage, blindness, or even death. Shaken Baby Syndrome causes such serious injuries for several reasons: a baby's head is large and heavy in proportion to its body, so the whiplash effect of shaking is exaggerated; infants have space between the brain and skull to allow for growth; babies' neck muscles and ligaments are weak and not fully developed; and an infant's skull is soft. Shaken Baby Syndrome is usually caused when an angry or extremely frustrated parent or caregiver, not intending to hurt the baby, shakes the baby too hard, often in response to a baby's non-stop crying. On rare occasions, similar injuries are caused accidently by tossing the baby in the air or jogging with the baby in a backpack. There are usually no outward physical signs of trauma, such as bruising, bleeding, or swelling. An eye exam may reveal retinal hemorrhage (bleeding behind the eye) or retinal detachment. Take this quick assessment to learn the warning signs of Shaken Baby Syndrome and help you determine if a baby you're concerned about may be a victim.
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