Mental Health Advocacy for Kids

09/23/2022

Inattentive ADHD vs Hyperactive ADHD:
Inattentive ADHD:
1. Child is easily forgetful during daily tasks
2. Child has a hard time being thorough with details and may make careless mistakes
3. Child might have a hard time organizing tasks, such as time management, keeping materials together, etc.

Hyperactive ADHD:
1. Child is unable to stay seated, fidgety
2. Child has trouble waiting their turn and might blurt out during class without waiting for the teacher to say so
3. Might interrupt conversations or games

Source:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2016). DSM-5 changes: Implications for child serious emotional disturbance. In PubMed. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30199184/

09/23/2022

How to help your child cope with depression:
1. Encourage time with friends, family, and the community
2. Acknowledge your child's inner struggles and conflicts
3. Encourage exercise, sleep, and healthy foods
4. Create a calm space for your child
5. Seek treatment for your child
6. Listen and challenge your child's "unhelpful" thoughts

Source:
McVicker, D. (2018). 5 things you can do to help your child with depression. National Alliance on Mental Illness. https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/December-2018/5-Things-You-Can-Do-to-Help-Your-Child-with-Depression

09/23/2022

How to help your child cope with ADHD:
1. Praise positive interactions your child has
2. Use a countdown during activities
3. Avoid direct criticism and opt for positive feedback
4. Talk to your child's teacher about daily report cards
5. Reach out if you, the parent, are stressed
6. Focus on creating goals with your child that are realistic
7. Remain positive when interacting
8. Consider increasing the amount of times you reward your child

Source:
Mikami, A. Y., Jack, A., Emeh, C. C., & Stephens, H. F. (2010). Parental influence on children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Relationships between parent behaviors and child peer status. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 38(6), 721–736. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-010-9393-2

09/23/2022

Tips to help your child cope with sadness and anger:
1. Listen to your child and avoid judgement
2. Be accepting of different emotions, such as anger vs sadness
3. When your child encounters a problem, assist them with problem solving
4. Work through other possible situations where your child might become sad or angry, and create an action plan
5. If you, the parent, are overwhelmed, take a minute to breathe and relax

Source:
Tompson, M. C., Langer, D. A., & Asarnow, J. R. (2020). Development and efficacy of a family-focused treatment for depression in childhood. Journal of Affective Disorders, 276(1), 686–695. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.06.057

09/23/2022

How to help reduce excessive anxiety with your child:
• Take deep breaths with them
• Learn what makes you, a parent, relaxed
• Teach them what it feels like to be "relaxed"
• Create a calm space for your child
• Seek treatment for your child
• Listen and challenge your child's "unhelpful" thoughts

Source:
Shortt, A. L., Barrett, P. M., & Fox, T. L. (2001). Evaluating the FRIENDS Program: A Cognitive-Behavioral Group Treatment for Anxious Children and Their Parents. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 30(4), 525–535. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15374424jccp3004_09

09/23/2022

Signs your child may have ADHD:
1. Has difficulty paying attention to small details
2. Often seems to not listen when being talked to
3. Often avoids or dislikes engaging in activities that require sustained mental energy
4. Often unable to engage in activities quietly
5. Child is often "on the go" as if "driven by a motor"

Source:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2016). DSM-5 changes: Implications for child serious emotional disturbance. In PubMed. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30199184/

09/23/2022

Signs your child may have anxiety:
1. Child has difficulty controlling worry
2. Anxiety makes it hard to do normal activities
3. Child has anxiety most days than not, and worries about many things
4. Excessive worry about various things most days than not
5. Physical symptoms like sleep disturbance and muscle tension

Source:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2016). DSM-5 changes: Implications for child serious emotional disturbance. In PubMed. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30199184/

09/23/2022

Signs your child may have depression:
1. Depressed mood
2. Loss of interest in all activities
3. Child is unable to think clearly or make decisions
4. Symptoms make it difficult for child to socialize or do well in school
5. Physical symptoms like sleep disturbance or excessive tiredness.

Source:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2016). DSM-5 changes: Implications for child serious emotional disturbance. In PubMed. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30199184/

09/20/2022