There are many different mental/emotional challenges that can accompany a child through their education. A few of the more common problems are listed separately. If you have a concern about the mental or emotional health of your child, it is important to see a professional (links are listed at the end of this document).

Perfectionism?- Perfectionism is “when your standards are so high, you are bound to fail? (Anthony, 2009). It manifests itself in refusal to finish assignments, school avoidance, anxiety (especially OCD and Panic Disorder) and lower than expected grades. Perfectionism can be very serious and can cause great frustration for the student and for everyone working with that student. Perfectionism is particularly problematic for students who treat academic failures as reflecting a pervasive failure in themselves (e.g. ?I?m no good at school?).

Anxiety?- There are many ways anxiety can manifest itself, for example: i) Panic Disorder ii) Obsessive Compulsive Disorder iii) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder iv) Generalized Anxiety Disorder v) Phobias. We most commonly see Panic Disorders or Generalized Anxiety Disorder in our students. Panic Disorders are specific moments of terror, stress and physiological change such as sweating, shaking, or rapid heart rate. They can be very mild and sometimes only manifest during certain situations (such as test taking). They can also be specific to certain subjects (such as math). In rare cases they can be broad enough to encompass all aspects of schooling. It is important to remember that panic disorders (panic attacks) are physiological and require a physiological response (breathing techniques, closing eyes etc). Generalized Anxiety Disorder is less common. It is characterized by frequent or constant worry about everyday problems or situations. This is a serious condition and will likely have been diagnosed by a medical professional. It manifests in both mental (depression, irrationality), emotional (fear, anger), and physical ways (sweating, nervous shaking, gastro-intestinal pain).

Depression?- Depression is a serious condition when it is persistent and interferes with the child?s daily life or ability to function. People with anxiety, learning disabilities and experiencing loss are at greater risk of suffering from depression. There are a number of symptoms that are specific to children or adolescents experiencing depression. these may be emotional (crying, hopelessness, guilt), physical (tiredness, low appetite, headaches/stomachaches), or academic (concentration, grades, absenteeism).