New program aims to raise awareness of early childhood mental health
Can a baby be depressed? Can a toddler have a mental illness? Are pre-schoolers being expelled from day care for aggressive, unmanageable behavior?
The answer to all these questions is “yes,” and experts say a lack of understanding about the social and emotional development and psychological well-being of babies and young children is at the root of many vexing long-term problems, from school failure to serious mental health issues.
“When we talk about infant mental health, we’re not putting babies on the psychologist’s couch or diagnosing a two year old with schizophrenia,” Therese Ahlers, executive director of the Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health (WI-AIMH), says.
Instead, Ahlers explains, the burgeoning field of infant and early childhood mental health focuses on the importance of promoting social and emotional health from the earliest possible age. It also teaches how to identify the behavioral warning signs in babies or young children who can’t talk about their psychological distress or mental or emotional pain, and recommend the help they, and their caregivers, need.
via Baby steps: New program aims to raise awareness of early childhood mental health.
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About The Author
Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts is founder of Support for Special Needs and has been a regular contributor since its inception in May 2010. A mom to two kids with special needs, she didn't want other parents to feel what is the often isolating world of raising a child (or two!) with disabilities. Her kids had kidney transplants at the age of eight and will need liver transplants in the future as a result of ARPKD/CHF. They both have vision disorders and learning disabilities.
This is important stuff – especially for special needs kids who exhibit a lot of anxiety. We’re seeing an IMH-certified psychologist to help manage my son’s anxiety about doctors’ appointments, and she’s been very helpful.
Janet, have you weighed in on Julia’s new topic in the groups? https://supportforspecialneeds.com/groups/mental-illnessmood-disorder/forum/topic/ptsd/
I think she’d love to hear your thoughts.
🙂
This topic is my passion because an accurate diagnosis and intensive treatment. My son, now 28, was treated two years ago for PTSD caused by medical trauma from birth to age three. The treatment changed his life. You can read more at http://www.DifferentDream.com. Just type PTSD in the search box and several blog entries will pop up. As an author, I am also looking for childhood PTSD experts, for a possible new book. Please contact me if you qualify!