CAMHI | Clinical short guides CAMHI |

Concerns about learning

Caregivers

Early developmental concerns

What is typical development? There are many ways that caregivers can evaluate if a child is developing typically and achieving their milestones. Some of the core milestones are: Physical Language Communication Sitting up without help by 7 months Babbling by...

Educators

Early developmental concern

What is typical development? Early childhood educators in day care, as well as nursery and preschool programs, often get to witness children building new developmental skills. There are many ways of evaluating if children are developing typically and achieving their milestones. Some of the core...

Adolescents

Reading difficulties

What are typical reading expectations? Reading is a difficult skill that we do not learn all at once. We build our reading skills gradually over the years, and every time we learn something new we get ready to learn something else. Typical reading skills include being able to recite the alphabet,...

Caregivers

Reading difficulties

What are typical reading expectations? As any complex skill, the ability to read builds on throughout the years. Typical reading skills include: Age range Expectation By age 3 Recite alphabet By age 3-4 Recognizing letters By age 4-5 Matching...

Educators

Reading difficulties

What are typical reading expectations? As most teachers are already aware of, there are some reading expectations for children depending on their age range. Age range Expectation By age 3 Recite alphabet By age 3-4 Recognizing letters By age...

Adolescents

Math difficulties

What are typical math expectations? Mathematics is a difficult skill that we can not learn all at once. It builds throughout the years, and every time we learn something new we get ready to learn something else. Typical math skills include being able to identify and count numbers when we see them...

Caregivers

Math difficulties

What are typical math expectations? As any complex skill, the ability to deal with numbers builds on throughout the years. Typical mathematical skills include: Age range Expectation Between ages 5 and 6 Counting to 20, backwards and forwards Associating numbers...

Educators

Math difficulties

What are typical expectations about mathematical skills? As most teachers are already aware of, the ability to deal with numbers is complex and builds on throughout the years. Typical mathematical skills include: Age range Expectation Between 5 and 6 years of...

Adolescents

Social communication difficulties

What is typical social communication? We begin to have interactions with other people very early in our lives, even before we know how to speak! When babies look at us when we call them, smile at us, and mimic our faces, they are already communicating. We continue to develop social communication...

Caregivers

Social communication difficulties

What is typical social communication? Even though every child is different, there are typical skills that could be expected for children around certain ages. Age range Expectation Around 6 months of age Smiling back at people Trying to make eye contact with...

Educators

Social communication difficulties

What is typical social communication? Even though every child is different, as most teachers are already aware of, there are typical skills that could be expected for children around certain ages. Age range Expectation Around 6 months of age Being able to...

Adolescents

Restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests

What are typical restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests? It's expected that we all have certain interests, preferences, routines, or rituals. When we enjoy something very much, we tend to want to do it or talk about it a lot. For example, someone fascinated about the universe may talk a...

Caregivers

Restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests

What are typical restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests? Infants are normally attached to favorite objects and engage in a number of repetitive rhythmic motor behaviors, like rocking and flapping. Young children show an insistence on certain toys, fairy tales and bedtime rituals....

Educators

Restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests

Caregivers

Difficulties with bladder control

What is typical toileting behavior? Urinary accidents are common during the nursery and preschool years, as most children are toilet trained by about 3 years of age. Young children may have accidents during the school day, especially when they are toilet training and younger than 5 years of age....

Educators

Difficulties with bladder control

Concerns about emotions

Adolescents

Excessive worries

What are typical worries? There are many different types of worries that we may experience at different moments in our lives. Worries are usually related to the challenges and experiences we are going through at the moment we are in life, so they can vary a lot. Some typical worries that most...

Caregivers

Excessive worries

What are typical worries? There are many different types of worries that children and adolescents may experience at different points in their lives. Worries are usually related to the challenges and experiences children and adolescents are going through at each developmental stage. Some typical...

Educators

Excessive worries

What are typical worries? There are many different types of worries that children and adolescents may experience in school at different points in their lives. Worries are usually related to the challenges and experiences children and adolescents are going through at each developmental stage. Some...

Adolescents

Excessive fears

What are typical fears? There are many different types of fears that we may experience at different moments in our lives. Fears are usually related to the challenges and experiences we are going through at the moment, so they can vary a lot. Some typical fears that most people have at some point...

Caregivers

Excessive fears

What are typical fears? Birth – 6 months Loud noises, loss of physical support, rapid position changes, rapidly approaching unfamiliar objects 7-12 months Strangers, looming objects, sudden confrontation by unexpected objects and unfamiliar people 1-5...

Educators

Excessive fears

Adolescents

Excessive shyness

What is typical shyness? Being shy is not by any means a problem. In addition to those characteristics in temperament, many of us at many ages experience shyness to some degree at one point or another. But those who are shy in a typical level gradually warm up to new situations over time. We may...

Caregivers

Excessive shyness

What is typical shyness? Being shy is not by any means a problem. In addition to those predispositions in temperament, many children at many ages experience shyness to some degree at one point or another. But children who are shy in a typical level gradually warm up to new situations over time....

Educators

Excessive shyness

Caregivers

Excessive fear of being apart from a caregiver

What is a typical separation fear? Nearly all children between 6 months and 3 years old get clingy and cry if their caregivers leave them, even for a short time. Young babies don't understand time, so they think a parent who walks out of the room is gone forever. Babies can become anxious and...

Educators

Excessive fear of being apart from a caregiver

Adolescents

Persistent Sadness

What is typical sadness? It’s typical for us to feel down when bad or unexpected things happen. It is part of human nature. As some time goes by or bad things start to ease up, we begin to gradually feel better. When we remain sad despite positive things happening to and around us, it can be...

Caregivers

Persistent sadness

What is typical sadness? It’s typical for children and adolescents to feel down when bad or unexpected things happen—we all do. We then begin to feel better when things take a turn for the better. When children remain sad despite positive things happening to and around them, that is...

Educators

Persistent sadness

What is typical sadness? It’s typical for children and adolescents to feel down when bad or unexpected things happen—we all do. We then begin to feel better when things take a turn for the better. When students remain sad despite positive things happening to and around them, that is...

Adolescents

Ritualistic behaviors and repetitive movements

What are typical ritualistic behaviors? People in general often like routines—they are safe, predictable, and comforting all at the same time. We often have established morning routines, in-class routines, after-school routines, homework routines, and bedtime routines. When we need to deviate from...

Caregivers

Ritualistic behaviors and repetitive movements

What are typical ritualistic behaviors and repetitive movements? Children often like routines—they are safe, predictable, and comforting all at the same time. At home, caregivers, children, or adolescents often establish morning routines, in-class routines, after-school routines, homework...

Educators

Ritualistic behaviors and repetitive movements

What are typical ritualistic behaviors? Children often like routines—they are safe, predictable, and comforting all at the same time. In School, teachers often establish routines throughout the day, which may include a routine for activities and a routine for clean up. Older students attend their...

Adolescents

Obsessive thoughts

What are typical obsessive thoughts? Most of us would agree that we get stuck on things that we enjoy. At times, it may seem like we are always thinking about our favorite show, song, game, or activity. For instance, we may talk about the same artists over and over again and know all about their...

Caregivers

Obsessive thoughts

What are typical obsessive thoughts? Most caregivers would agree that their children get stuck on things that they enjoy. At times, it may seem like the child or adolescent is always thinking about their favorite show, song, game, activity, or toy. For instance, a 3 year old may frequently think...

Educators

Obsessive thoughts

What are typical obsessive thoughts? Most teachers and caregivers would agree that children or adolescents get stuck on things that they enjoy. At times, it may seem like the child or adolescent is always thinking about their favorite show, song, game, activity, or toy. For instance, a 3 year old...

Adolescents

Eating concerns

What is typical eating? Our temperament, body, and environment determine our typical eating habits that follow us from childhood to adulthood most of the time. Some people eat three meals per day, others two or five. A lot of people love snacks and often have them in between meals (and that is...

Caregivers

Eating concerns

What is typical eating? Children and adolescents' temperament, organic conditions, developmental issues, environmental and parental factors determine typical eating habits in early childhood to a large extent. Some people eat three meals per day, others two or five. Children and adolescents love...

Educators

Eating concerns

Adolescents

Body image concerns

What is a typical body image? Almost all of us worry about our physical appearance in some way. Body consciousness and its perception is significantly affected by physical changes that occur during our adolescent years, by peer relationships and acceptance, as well as by messages on social media...

Caregivers

Body image concerns

What is a typical body image? Some children and nearly all adolescents worry about their physical appearance in some way. Body consciousness and its perception is significantly affected by physical changes that occur during adolescence, by peer relationships and acceptance, as well as by messages...

Educators

Body image concerns

Adolescents

Persistent anger

What is typical anger? We all get angry–anger is 100% typical. Typically, anger goes away in under 30 minutes. But when it is frequent (eg, present many times a week), or lasts for long periods (eg, lasting many hours instead of minutes), it can take us away from our experiences. Additionally,...

Caregivers

Persistent anger

What is typical anger? Children and adolescents get angry just like adults do – anger is normal. Typically, anger goes away in under 30 minutes. But when a child's anger is frequent (eg, temper tantrums many times a week), or lasts for long periods (eg, lasting many hours instead of minutes), it...

Educators

Persistent anger

What is typical anger? Children and adolescents get angry just like adults do–anger is normal. Typically, anger goes away in under 30 minutes. But when a child's anger is frequent (eg, temper tantrums many times a week), or lasts for long periods (eg, lasting many hours instead of minutes), it can...

Adolescents

Persistent distress after traumatic experiences

What is typical distress after traumatic events? It is expected that we struggle and feel scared or upset after one, or multiple seriously frightening or upsetting events. It usually takes us a little while to recover and readjust after traumatic experiences. It is fairly common to experience...

Caregivers

Persistent distress after traumatic experiences

What is typical distress after traumatic events? It is expected for a child or adolescent to struggle and feel scared or upset after one, or multiple seriously frightening or upsetting events. It usually takes them a little while to recover and readjust after traumatic experiences. It is fairly...

Educators

Persistent distress after traumatic experiences

Adolescents

Panic attacks

Are panic attacks typical? Even though our bodies have a natural alarm system that goes off when something is wrong to prepare us to handle emergency situations, having panic attacks is not typical. Usually, when we experience panic attacks, the alarm goes off without a real threat or...

Caregivers

Panic attacks

Are panic attacks typical? Even though our bodies have a natural alarm system that goes off when something is wrong to prepare us to handle emergency situations, having panic attacks is not typical. Usually, when children and adolescents experience panic attacks, their alarm goes off without a...

Educators

Panic attacks

Are panic attacks typical? Even though our bodies have a natural alarm system that goes off when something is wrong to prepare us to handle emergency situations, having panic attacks is not typical. Usually, when children and adolescents experience panic attacks, their alarm goes off without a...

Concerns about behaviors

Adolescents

Rule breaking and aggression

What are typical rule breaking behaviors and aggression? It’s typical for most of us to break rules and even be aggressive towards close people around us at least some of the time. There are occasions when we break rules at home or in school even though we know that if we are caught there will be...

Caregivers

Rule breaking and aggression

What are typical rule breaking behaviors and aggression? It’s typical for children and adolescents to break rules and even be aggressive towards their caregivers and peers at least some of the time. While younger children are pretty rule-driven, older children and adolescents will occasionally...

Educators

Rule breaking and aggression

What are typical rule breaking behaviors and aggression? It’s typical for students to break rules and even be aggressive towards their caregivers and peers at least some of the time. While younger students are pretty rule-driven, older students will occasionally break rules in school even though...

Adolescents

Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity

What are typical levels of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity? Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are common when we are children younger than 6 years of age. As we get older, the demands placed on us gradually increase and if we remain inattentive, hyperactive, or impulsive, we...

Caregivers

Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity

What are typical levels of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity? Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are common in children younger than 6 years of age. As they get older, the demands placed on them gradually increase and if they remain inattentive, hyperactive, or impulsive, they...

Educators

Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity

What are typical levels of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity? Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are common in students younger than 6 years of age. As they get older, the demands placed on them gradually increase and if they remain inattentive, hyperactive, or impulsive, they...

Adolescents

Alcohol and substance use

What is typical alcohol and substance use? None. There is no typical alcohol or substance use during childhood or teenage years. Even though alcohol and other substances are illegal for minors and people would expect us to abstain from use, we are curious and get exposed to these things, offered...

Caregivers

Alcohol and substance use

What is typical alcohol and substance use? None. There is no typical or acceptable alcohol or substance use during childhood or teenage years. Even though alcohol and other substances are illegal for minors and we would expect that they would abstain from use, children and teenagers are curious...

Educators

Alcohol and substance use

Adolescents

Self-injury

Is self-injury typical? No. There is no kind of typical self-injury behavior. But in order to find better ways to deal with it when it happens, it is important to understand some things about it. When some people self-injury, they say they do it because it distracts them and alleviates the...

Caregivers

Self-injury

Is self-injury typical? No. There is no kind of typical self-injury behavior. However, in order to prevent it or deal with it when it happens, it is important to understand some things about it. Some children and adolescents say they hurt themselves because it distracts them and alleviates the...

Educators

Self-injury

Is self-injury typical? No. There is no kind of typical self-injury behavior. However, in order to prevent it or deal with it when it happens, it is important to understand some things about it. Some children and adolescents say they injure themselves because it distracts them and alleviates...

Adolescents

Bullying

When does typical teasing become bullying? Painful or embarrassing social experiences are part of the growing up process and almost everyone has already been teased at least one time in their lives. Learning how to rebound from negative interactions is an important skill for all of us. However,...

Caregivers

Bullying

When does typical teasing become bullying? People tend to be aware that painful or embarrassing social experiences are part of the growing up process and that almost everyone has already been teased at least one time in their lives. Learning how to rebound from negative interactions is an...

Educators

Bullying

Adolescents

Excessive screen use

What is a typical use of screens? We have become somewhat reliant on our devices, and so using them has become quite typical. For example, young children are given screen time to watch educational shows and to play educational games; older kids and adolescents attend classes, complete homework...

Caregivers

Excessive screen use

What is a typical use of screens? Caregivers and kids alike have become somewhat reliant on their devices, and so using them has become quite typical. Young children are given screen time to watch educational shows with their caregivers and to play educational games; older kids and teens attend...

Educators

Excessive screen use

What is a typical use of screens? Most of us have become somewhat reliant on their devices, and so using them has become quite typical. Young children are given screen time to watch educational shows and to play educational games; older kids and teens attend classes, complete homework assignments,...

I am not sure what I'm looking for

Adolescents

I worry about myself or a friend, but how do I know what is going on?

What are typical challenges we go through when we are children or adolescents? Growing up and being young is not always easy. When we are little, there are a lot of things we have to learn. We learn how to walk and talk, understand and deal with our emotions, communicate and hang out with friends...

infants and toddlers (birth to 3 years old)
children (6 to 12 years of age)
adolescents (12 to 17 years of age)
preschoolers (3 to 6 years old)
home
school

5min

Caregivers

I worry about my child, but how do I know what is going on?

What is typical development? Growing up is not easy. All children will present with expected behaviors that cause distress and difficulties as part of typical development. Children have to learn a lot of things while growing up. They have to learn how to walk and talk, understand and deal with...

infants and toddlers (birth to 3 years old)
children (6 to 12 years of age)
adolescents (12 to 17 years of age)
preschoolers (3 to 6 years old)
home
school

5min

Educators

I worry about a student, but how do I know what is going on?

Caregivers

What to expect from infants and toddlers (birth to 3 years)

What are typical infant and toddler milestones? During the first years of life, infants and toddlers are entirely dependent on their caregivers and cannot do anything by themselves. So, it is not uncommon for caregivers to feel tired, worried, or insecure with the challenges they face with their...

Caregivers

What to expect from preschoolers (3 to 6 years)

What are typical preschooler milestones? Preschoolers quite literally increase their physical skills by “leaps and bounds”, build very rapid cognitive and language development and make numerous emotional and social gains. Here is a list of the main physical, cognitive and language, emotional, and...

Caregivers

What to expect from children (6 to 12 years)

What is typical childhood development? Physical skills development: Early in this age range, 6- and 7-year-old children continue to build upon the foundation skills they acquired during their preschool years. Physically, they continue to build their balance and independence using bicycles and...

Caregivers

What to expect from adolescents (12 to 18 years)

What is typical adolescent development? Thinking and problem-solving skills development Adolescence is a period of brain development just as much as body development. Adolescents are expected to gradually move away from concrete ways of thinking toward abstract thought. As their abstract thinking...

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