1 Is your child over 12 years old?

2 Is the behaviour problem mainly connected with schoolwork or with behaviour at school?

3 Has the problem started recently?

4 Has there been a recent change at home, such as the arrival of a new baby?

5 Could your child be using recreational drugs or inhaling solvents (see Recognizing drug and solvent abuse)?

6 Do any of the following apply to your child?

• Avoids eye contact
• Engages in repetitive behaviours
• Has poor language skills

7 Has your child become unusually withdrawn and lost interest in activities that he or she previously enjoyed?

8 Is your child unruly, noisy, and disobedient?

9 Is your child under 4 years old?

10 Does your child steal, lie, or behave violently or aggressively?

11 Is your child easily bored, unable to concentrate, restless, impulsive, and/or disruptive?

12

go to Adolescent behaviour problems

13

go to School difficulties

14

Possible cause Anxiety over a recent event, such as the arrival of a new baby or parental separation, can often have a temporary effect on a child's behaviour.

Action Try to discover and deal with any underlying worries that your child has. If your child is at school, it is also a good idea to tell your child's teachers if there are problems at home. If your child's behaviour does not improve with time and extra support, consult your doctor, who will advise you whether further help, such as referral to a child guidance clinic, is necessary.

15

Possible cause Drug or substance abuse often results in behaviour problems.

Action Talk to your child to try to find out whether there is an underlying problem. Try not to get aggressive or angry, but provide him or her with plenty of love. Giving your child support may provide him or her with the self-confidence to stop. If you think your child is becoming dependent on drugs, consult your doctor. Advice and support are also available from many self-help groups.

16

Possible cause Children often go through phases of upsetting behaviour. This is normal, and such problems are unlikely to persist.

Action Provide your child with love and support, and check with your child's school to make sure that there are no particular problems there. If your child's behaviour does not improve after a few weeks, consult your doctor.

17

Possible cause If your child seems to fall into this category and also has difficulty relating to other people, he or she may have a form of autism. This condition is more common in boys and is usually apparent by 3 years of age. Consult your doctor.

Action Your doctor may refer your child to a specialist for an assessment. Autism varies in severity. Although some children can be helped by speech and language therapy, many others need to be educated in special schools.

18

Possible causes Both depression and anxiety can cause these symptoms.

Action Talk to your child to see if there is a reason for his or her behaviour. Offer support and encouragement, and try to remove or reduce any sources of stress that may be contributing. If your child's symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks or worsen, consult your doctor.

19

Possible cause It is normal for small children to test the rules and disobey their parents. Many young children also go through a period of particularly difficult behaviour known as the "terrible twos".

Action All children grow out of this behaviour. Meanwhile, follow the advice for coping with the "terrible twos". If, at any stage, you feel that you cannot cope, consult your doctor or nurse.

20

Possible cause Children are often rebellious. However, if your child is persistently antisocial, disruptive, or violent, he or she may have a condition known as a conduct disorder. Consult your doctor.

Action Your doctor may refer your child to a specialist for assessment. Child guidance or family therapy will probably be needed. However, long-standing behaviour problems may be difficult to change.

21

Possible cause Although this type of behaviour is normal in small children, school-age children, particularly boys, who are constantly active and disruptive may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Consult your doctor.

Action Your doctor will probably refer your child to a specialist to confirm the diagnosis. Children with this condition need extra support and help both at home and in school, and some also need drug treatment.

22

Consult your doctor if you are unable to find an explanation for your child's behaviour on this chart and your child continues to behave in a way that worries you.

23

Consult your doctor if you are unable to find an explanation for your child's behaviour on this chart and your child continues to behave in a way that worries you.