When Parents Should Be Concerned About Their …

1 When Parents Should Be Concerned About Their child 's BehaviorThis grid is not meant to be comprehensive but presents some of the most common behaviors of concern in young children. It is designed to assist Parents in understanding some of the markers for normal behavior and when to be Concerned . Of course, any time you are Concerned About your child for a period of time, you Should contact a medical or other professional. Age Infancy Birth to 1 year Normal Behavior Cries in response to frustration, hunger, or fatigue Has regular sleep habits; sleeps soundly Re ognizes familiar fa es; may be s ared by strangers Tra ks movement with eyes by 2 to 3 months Snuggles and relaxes when held Smiles responsively by 2 to 3 months Behavior of Concern Ex essive rying that ontinues even when needs are met Not sleeping; restless sleeper Shows random affe tion with familiar fa es.

2 May show irrational fear without ause Does not tra k movement with eyes by 2 to 3 months Mus les be ome rigid when held; doesn t want to be held Seldom smiles ist of Suggestions for Parent Action Babies Should not be dis iplined;they are too little to know right fromwrong Do ument and des ribe the behaviorof on ern If you are still on erned, all yourpediatri ian or a medi al hotline Do ument all intera tions withmedi al or help personnel 2015, 2008 PACER Center, Inc. | ACTion heet: PHP-c106a 8161 Normandale Blvd. Minneapolis, MN 55437 | Phone (952) 838-9000 | MN Toll-Free (800) 537-2237 | PACER CENTER ACTION INFORMATION HEET Age Toddler 1 to 3 years Normal Behavior Constant exploration, walking, running, and limbing Can be left with minimal anxiety Interested in toilet training by 18 months to 2 years, but may not be su essful Uses the word no Responds with uriosity to stimulus.

3 Omfortable with tou h and noise May hit and bite, but an be redire ted and stopped Behavior of Concern Fearful of exploration Severe separation anxiety Attempts to toilet train are diff ult and reates ex essive anxiety and behaviors Consistently s reams instead of using language Easily overwhelmed by stimulus; overrea ts to tou h or noise Severe temper tantrums that annot be redire ted or stopped ist of Suggestions for Parent Action Be onsistent and set time limits for behavioral interventions Keep tra k of frequen y and intensity of behaviors to see if there is a pattern If you are still on erned, all your pediatri ian or a medi al hotline Do ument all intera tions with medi al or help personnel Resources.

4 Age Early Childhood 3 to 5 years Normal Behavior More engaged in positive intera tion with peers Imaginary ompanions Likes one-on-one attention from aregivers, but an share attention as well Curious; asks why questions Has fears; shows off and uses bad language to get attention Aggressive behavior to family members or peers that an be redire ted Is a tively exploring environment, but an take dire tion in safety Behavior of Concern Has diff ulty playing or taking turns with peers Seems unusually ruel to animals Responds aggressively to shared attention Belligerent behavior in response to hange in s hedule or unexpe ted or unknown situation Ex essive fears; uses bad language to get ontrol Intentionally harmful behavior to self or others Ex essively hypera tive.

5 Does not respond to or remember safety instru tions Exhibits dangerous behavior; starts fres ist of Suggestions for Parent Action Reinfor e appropriate behavior by affrming the behavior you want Develop a way to rewarding appropriate behavior and onsistently implement it for several weeks to see if the behavior of on ern is hanging Reassure your hild that you love him or her despite the hallenging behaviors Inform or remind hild of a s hedule and what is going to happen next Keep tra k of frequen y and intensity of behaviors to see if there is a pattern Call your s hool distri t to ask for the telephone number of the early

6 Hildhood oordinator; ask this person to give you suggestions for responding to the behaviors of on ern Call your pediatri ian to s hedule an appointment Related Material: Download three separate PACER companion handouts: Parent Documentation: Behavior Concerns for Infants - Parent Documentation: Behavior Concerns for Toddlers Parent Documentation: Behavior Concerns for Early Childhood.