You’re not alone if you find yourself awake at night, worrying over your toddler’s development. As a parent, it’s common to question whether your child’s behavior is typical or hints at something more serious.
However, determining if your little one’s emotional or social development is on track isn’t always straightforward – and, of course, every toddler is unique.
In this post, you’ll get insight into the five common signs that might suggest your toddler could benefit from early psychological support. Rest assured, this is not intended to scare, rather to arm you with knowledge you need to avoid unnecessary comparisons or worry.
Before We Start: Finding The Right Specialist For Your Needs
Understanding your toddler’s psychological needs starts with identifying a competent, trusted specialist to guide you. Firstly, when seeking a healthcare provider, you’ll want to consider their educational background.
Typically, healthcare providers who graduated from some of the best grad schools for psychology and with specialized experience in the pediatric field should be your first port of call. Be sure to assess their online reviews, find recommendations from friends and family, and get a first-hand feel of their approach by visiting them in person.
5 Signs You Need To Be Aware Of
Knowledge is power when it comes to the wellbeing of our children. This is even more true when looking at the fact that toddlers comprise a group often overlooked in terms of mental health. Nonetheless, recent studies bring a different perspective.
Epidemiological research suggests that 16–18% of children aged between 1 and 5 years suffer from some mental health disorders, with around half of these being severely impacted.
Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to change the course of events – starting with learning how to recognize the signs of undiagnosed mental health disorders and partnering with a specialist.
Unusual Attachment Styles
Some toddlers display unusual attachment styles, like excessive clinginess or total indifference towards their caregivers. While some anxiety about being apart from you is normal, extreme behavior may hint at a deeper anxiety issue or attachment disorder.
Delayed Communication Milestones
If your little one isn’t meeting communication milestones, like babbling, understanding simple instructions, or initiating conversation, it could suggest a language delay or other developmental concern that warrants professional attention.
Although each toddler is unique and you should not compare your children to others’, it is important to speak to a specialist if you suspect any issue.
Persistent and Intense Tantrums
Tantrums can, at times, seem unendurable, especially if you’re wrestling with postpartum anxiety or depression. However, if your toddler’s tantrums are unusually intense, persistent, or disruptive beyond what’s typical for their age, it may be signaling an underlying psychological issue.
If you are unsure about what to expect at each phase of their development, a pediatrician can help you understand what is normal and what may warrant attention.
Difficulty with Social Interaction
While mastering social interaction is a gradual process, frequent struggles with cooperative play, like sharing and taking turns, may warrant attention. Toddlers showing little interest in their peers or difficulty comprehending feelings could be revealing a delay in social or emotional development.
This early hurdle, if addressed, can ease their path into harmonious relationships in the future.
Extreme Fear or Shyness
Each toddler experiences fear or shyness to some degree, but excessive manifestations can be concerning. When fearfulness or shyness leads to avoidance behavior or persistent distress, it might suggest a more deep-seated anxiety issue.
Identifying such patterns early can help your child constructively manage their anxieties as they grow.
Final Thoughts: The Importance on Educating Yourself To Spot Early Indicators
Learning more about these signs empowers you as a parent to catch any emotional distress early and find adequate treatment before they become impactful, life-long disorders. You can start by finding resources online and utilizing a diary to document and track unusual behaviors.
Lastly, never overlook the early warning signs, as prompt action and specialist support can guide your little one towards healthier psychological development.
