TOP INFORMATION

What is a Developmental & Behavioural Paediatrician?

• A specialist that looks after how the child might be feeling

• They can assess the child’s social relationships

• They can review elements of a child’s learning

• They review how a child interacts with other people

• The carer for the child may see a Developmental Paediatrician if the child is considered distressed, has low self-esteem, or is believed to be “acting out” and need a review to work out a support plan to allow them to find safety, support, and build self confidence and get back on track

• Between the ages of 14 and 65 years of age, the leading cause of death is suicide.

• The evidence shows that in teenage years, having 2 non-parental adults that take a genuine interest and care for you, really protects you from adversity.  

• 50% of adult mental illness starts before we’re are 14years old

• At the moment in Australia, within a 12 month period, 1 in 7 or 14% of kids will have a mental illness and that’s between 4yrs to 17yrs of age.

The misperception of how a parent should take charge:

Authoritarian parenting – coming down hard on kids to teach them you are the boss, and discipline them through tough love

VERSUS

Authoritative parenting – Still means being the primary decision maker and in charge, but taking the time to explain your reason why the child needs to put effort into the task that you are asking them to do, and then deciding together what the plan is to make that happen. 

• No 3yr old has the developmental capacity to think about anyone else’s feelings, at that age they are developmentally ego-centric

• It’s a normal developmental process to take risks during your teenage years

• As a parent to a young child you are essentially their manager, as they get older what you want to move away from is being their manager, and become their consultant. You want them to come to you for support.