Separation Anxiety in early childhood Rebecca M. Ortez Fresno Pacific University Guidance of Social & Emotional Development

Over View Personal Note Assessment on Separation Anxiety What is Separation Anxiety? Symptoms of Separation Anxiety Separation Anxiety VS Separation Anxiety Disorder Causes Separation Anxiety Risk Factors How Teachers can Help Words for Parents References

Personal Note There is a personal reason for this assessment. Each child has their own story and reasons for their actions. “Leah’s” Story

Assessment Questions When dropping off your child select any types of emotions you as a parent are feeling? Do you and your child have a routine before school? Have you moved recently? Has their been a death of a loved one or pet? Has one of the parents lost their job? Is anyone new living in the home? Has a loved one experienced a serious illness that required hospitalization? Does your child use excuses of physical illness like stomachaches or headache, fever whenever they have to go out or to school? Does your child cling to you in social situations? Does your child cry anytime you leave them, even if it is with a loved one?

Results: 1. When dropping off your child select any types of emotions you as a parent are feeling? 0% said sad 20% said stressed 30% said anxiety 50% said happy/excited 2. Do you and your child have a routine before school? 70% said yes 30% said no 3. Have you moved recently? 10% said yes 90% said no 4. Has there been a death of a loved one or pets? 30% said yes to pets 70% said no 5. Has one of the parents lost their job? 20% said yes 80% said no

Results Continued 6. Is anyone new living in the home 20% said yes 80% said no 7. Has a loved one experienced a serious illness that required hospitalization? 10% said yes 90% said no 8. Does your child use excuses of physical illness like stomachaches or headache, fever whenever they have to go out or to school? 40% said yes 60% said no 9. Does your child cling to you in social situations? 70% said yes 30% said no 10. Does your child cry anytime you leave them, even if it is with a loved one?

Overall

What is Separation Anxiety? Separation anxiety is a condition in which a child becomes scared, fearful, nervous or worried when away from a loved one. To whom the child is attached.  (Choate, 2006) Some children also develop physical symptoms.

Symptoms of Separation Anxiety An unrealistic worry that something bad will happen to the parent or caregiver if the child leaves. Or a worry that something bad will happen to child if parent or caregiver leaves Refusal to go to school. Refusal to go to sleep without the caregiver/parent being nearby Fear of being alone Nightmares about being separated Bed wetting Complaints of physical symptoms Repeated temper tantrums or pleading

Separation Anxiety VS Separation Anxiety Disorder Separation anxiety disorder is NOT a normal stage of development. The main differences between healthy separation anxiety and separation anxiety disorder are the intensity of your child’s fears.

Causes of Separation Anxiety Separation anxiety disorder happens because a child feels unsafe in some way. Change in environment Stress Over-protective parent Family members with anxiety or other mental disorders Lost of loved one Trauma

Risk Factors for Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD) A family history of anxiety/depression Shy, timid personalities Low socioeconomic status A lack of proper parental communication Problems dealing with children their own age

How Teachers can Help Make sure the child is prepared ahead of time Ask parents for background information Ask parents to provide a comfort item.  Provide distraction. Be there for the child/ Extra TLC Engage the child in an art or writing project.

How Parents can Help Practice the separation Develop a “goodbye” ritual. Keep familiar surroundings Have a consistent primary caregiver. Leave without fanfare. No scary television. Setting Limits and not giving in Therapy if needed https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=r_5eiYIo1XM

References Choate, M. L., Pincus, D. B., Eyberg, S. M., & Barlow, D. H. (2005). Parent-child interaction therapy for treatment of separation anxiety disorder in young children: A pilot study.Cognitive and Behavioral Practice,12(1), 126-135. doi:10.1016/s1077-7229(05)80047-1 Pendley, J. S. (Ed.). (2016, October). Separation Anxiety. Retrieved March 29, 2017, from http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sep-anxiety.html Separation Anxiety in Children. (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2017, from https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/separation-anxiety-in-children.htm Shannon Johnson Medically Reviewed by. (n.d.). Separation Anxiety Disorder. Retrieved March 26, 2017, from http://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/separation-anxiety#RiskFactors3 Ehrenreich, J. T., Santucci, L. C., & Weiner, C. L. (2008, January 01). SEPARATION ANXIETY DISORDER IN YOUTH: PHENOMENOLOGY, ASSESSMENT, AND TREATMENT. Retrieved March 29, 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2788956/

Questions Was the presentation organized and presented in a professional manner? What was your favorite part of the presentation? What was your least favorite? Was there anything you learned that was new information? If so what? Would there be anything you would change?