5. Does your child get a good night’s rest?

Anything that can interfere with sleeping at night can leave a child drowsy the next day and unable to pay attention in a classroom setting.

If your child is having trouble sleeping and (or) is showing sadness or nervousness or is becoming withdrawn, it could be that she/he is trying to cope with something hurtful or unsettling.  You may wish to explore this to see if anything is deeply affecting your child.  It may not be that the child has ADD or ADHD or is autistic.  It may be that the child is temporarily coping with an issue or issues such as:

• A loved pet died

• Allergies preventing a restful sleep

• An interesting book is so enjoyable the child stays up all night

• Death of a family member

• Divorce

• Friend moved away

• Humiliated at school or home

• Hyperthyroidism

• Monsters move out of the closet and under the bed

• Moving

• New school

• New step parent

• Parents arguing

• Younger sibling born

Please keep in mind that, to pick an example, being afraid of snakes is more common and tolerated in our society than being afraid of ants.  Chances are that we have less patience and less understanding for those children who are afraid or deeply affected by things we do not understand.  If the school, teacher or parent does not recognize the reason as valid, dismissing the child’s feelings may heighten their symptoms.  Instead, accepting the child’s behavior and taking at it as a sign that she/he needs something (more love and understanding, someone to talk to who does not judge or evaluate them, or a safe place or person) may be the answer.