Since my son was probably 4, I have known that the has more anxiety than what might be considered "normal." It tends to center around having to "perform," social gatherings, group activities, or situations that are new or unexpected.
To describe him: He is very intense, very physically active (and capable). A very hard worker, loyal, impatient, smart with a great math/science/problem solving brain. He absolutely thrives on one-on-one. He is fairly closed/contained in terms of his emotions. His dad is the centre of his universe.
In November 2008 he had an assesment, upon referral by my family doctor, with a children's psychiatrist. Of course, he didn't really participate in the assessment, because he doesn't talk to people he doesn' t know. She did spend a lot of time with me and we talked in great detail. She made a diagnosis of "separation anxiety."
I have not pursued anything in terms of treatment. We've worked with the school and individuals who are in contact with him to set the stage for more positive, productive, successful behaviours. His grade 2 teacher is really very good and has been patient and kind and very cooperative with us as his family - implementing different strategies. He has a good relationship with her.
Over the past 18 months, he has improved in some areas. With maturity and experience, some situations (like haircuts) that really freaked him out are now a "no brainer." The predominent issues are "performance" related - he's almost got perfectionist tendencies. He also has a lot of trouble in a group of children. One-on-one he has very appropriate social skills. In a group he does very "strange" attention seeking behaviours - that of course draw attention to him - even though it seems he doesn't WANT attention drawn to him - his behaviour seems very counter to what you would expect.
I've made an appointment with a pscyhologist who specializes in childhood anxiety for later this week. She has done work with many reputable children's mental health agencies in the city. She does a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy approach in part.
Have you had success with this appraoch in children of Aidan's age? Are there questions I should ask? Things I should watch out for? How often did you go?
I'm feeling overwhelmed and a bit anxious myself... the kids his age are very forgiving but his teacher says he is doing more and more to ostracize himself and I know he so wants to have relationship with the other children. The time for help is now I think...
Thank you.
Megan
To describe him: He is very intense, very physically active (and capable). A very hard worker, loyal, impatient, smart with a great math/science/problem solving brain. He absolutely thrives on one-on-one. He is fairly closed/contained in terms of his emotions. His dad is the centre of his universe.
In November 2008 he had an assesment, upon referral by my family doctor, with a children's psychiatrist. Of course, he didn't really participate in the assessment, because he doesn't talk to people he doesn' t know. She did spend a lot of time with me and we talked in great detail. She made a diagnosis of "separation anxiety."
I have not pursued anything in terms of treatment. We've worked with the school and individuals who are in contact with him to set the stage for more positive, productive, successful behaviours. His grade 2 teacher is really very good and has been patient and kind and very cooperative with us as his family - implementing different strategies. He has a good relationship with her.
Over the past 18 months, he has improved in some areas. With maturity and experience, some situations (like haircuts) that really freaked him out are now a "no brainer." The predominent issues are "performance" related - he's almost got perfectionist tendencies. He also has a lot of trouble in a group of children. One-on-one he has very appropriate social skills. In a group he does very "strange" attention seeking behaviours - that of course draw attention to him - even though it seems he doesn't WANT attention drawn to him - his behaviour seems very counter to what you would expect.
I've made an appointment with a pscyhologist who specializes in childhood anxiety for later this week. She has done work with many reputable children's mental health agencies in the city. She does a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy approach in part.
Have you had success with this appraoch in children of Aidan's age? Are there questions I should ask? Things I should watch out for? How often did you go?
I'm feeling overwhelmed and a bit anxious myself... the kids his age are very forgiving but his teacher says he is doing more and more to ostracize himself and I know he so wants to have relationship with the other children. The time for help is now I think...
Thank you.
Megan
