Overweight, underweight and unbalanced nutrition.

Heart problems, snoring, learning and behavior difficulties.

• Picky eater due to sensory processing difficulties related to taste, smell, and food textures
• Poor diet due to chewing and swallowing difficulties
• Not having enough exercise
• Lack of awareness of body weight

If you notice any of these signs or see issues with your child’s weight or nutrition, talk with your child’s primary care physician. You may be referred to a nutritionist to evaluate and change your child’s diet, or an occupational therapist to address sensory difficulties. The plan of care for weight issues may include a behavioral intervention and physical activity plan.

Healthy Active Living for Families, from American Academy of Pediatric

Teeth cavities, gum problems, infection, missing or abnormal position of teeth.

Trouble speaking, eating, learning and behavior problems due to tooth pain.

• Lack of Vitamin D
• Unbalanced diet
• Medications
• Sensory processing difficulties causing difficulties brushing teeth
• Poor dental hygiene

If you notice any of these signs or see issues with your child’s teeth, talk with your child’s primary care physician or dentist. They may recommend teeth cleaning, treatment of dental cavities, teeth and gum disease, or braces for the abnormal position of the teeth.

Vision and eye problems

Family history of eye and vision problems, eye infections and trauma, certain infections before the baby was born, infections of the brain after birth, head trauma, certain genetic syndromes and metabolic disorders, diabetes, high Blood Pressure

Learning, motor coordination, social skills difficulties and low self-confidence

• Looking closely at objects
• Bumping into things
• Eyes that are misaligned (look crossed, turn out, or don't focus together)
• White or grayish white color in the pupil
• Eyes that flutter quickly from side to side or up and down
• Eye pain, itchiness, or discomfort reported by your child
• Redness in either eye that doesn't go away in a few days
• Eyes that are always watery
• Drooping eyelids
• Eyes that often appear overly sensitive to light
• Headaches

If you notice any of these signs or have concerns about your child’s eyes or vision, talk with your child’s primary care physician. Your child may be referred to an Ophthalmologist or Optometrist, who are medical providers specialized in eyes and vision. Treatment may include wearing glasses, eye patching, medication for eye infections or surgery on the eye.

Conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, mixed hearing loss.

Family history of hearing problems, ear infections, snoring, large adenoids or tonsils, certain infections before the baby was born, infections of the brain after birth, medications, head trauma, certain genetic syndromes and metabolic disorders.

Speech, language, communication, social skills, learning, behavior and attention difficulties and low self-confidence.

• Lack of response to sounds
• Ignores when name is called
• Lack of following instructions
• Language delay
• Unclear speech
• Watches TV or listens to music at a very high volume
• Speaks loudly

If you notice any of these signs or see issues with your child’s ears or hearing, talk with your child’s primary care physician. They may refer you to a hearing specialist (audiologist) or a physician that specializes in ear, nose and throat conditions (ENT). Interventions may include treatment of ear infections or nasal congestion, surgery for ear fluids, large adenoids or tonsils, or the use of hearing aid or implants.

Abnormal walking, muscles, back and joint problems.

Delay in starting to walk, poor muscle strength and balance, brain and genetic disorders.

Difficulties with motor coordination, walking, and general ability to move.

• Limping
• Back or joint pain
• Delayed walking
• Asymmetric walking
• Difficulties or poor quality in performing gross motor activities: walking, running, climbing, jumping

If you notice any of these signs, talk with an orthopedist, who is a physician that specializes in bones, muscles and joints, or a physical therapist, who is a clinician specialized in walking, movement, muscles and joints. Interventions may include stretching or exercises, braces, casts, or surgery.

Difficulties falling asleep, waking up at night, restless sleep, short sleep duration, snoring, teeth grinding and sleep walking, night terrors.

Anxiety, ADHD, autism, obesity, seasonal allergies, large adenoids or tonsils, genetic syndrome, low muscle tone, low iron and vitamin D.

Weight and growth problems, hyperactivity, short attention span, other behavior and learning problems. Children who snore may have apnea which are pauses in breathing that may cause decreased oxygenation of the brain with secondary lung and heart problems.

If your child snores or has restless sleep, your primary care physician may refer you to an ENT physician for a sleep study and other tests. Interventions may include behavioral therapies, medication, or treatment for sleep apnea.

Infrequent bowel movements, straining when passing stool, passing hard stool.

Having selective diet, low muscular tone, low thyroid hormone levels, abnormalities of the bowel movements and structure.

Weight, growth, behavior problems, delayed toilet training, soiling and infections of the bladder and kidney.

If you notice any of these signs, talk with your child’s primary care physician. Interventions may include changes in diet or exercise, behavior intervention, medications, or bowel cleansing.

Children with ADHD have difficulties paying attention to non-preferred activities and/or are hyperactive and impulsive. These difficulties may become more apparent once children go to school. The symptoms of ADHD are seen both at home and in school and may affect one or more of the following areas: learning, behavior and interaction with other children and family members, participation in group activities, and performance of daily living skills, such as getting dressed or chores such as cleaning their own room.

Children with untreated ADHD are at risk for having difficulty making friends and underachieving in school. As a result, they may develop poor self-esteem, and even anxiety and depression. Sensory processing difficulties may increase hyperactivity and decrease attention.

Children with anxiety may display some of the following signs, including excessive worrying, difficulty separating from caregivers, easily overwhelmed, or difficulty being with large groups. Sometimes children may pull their hair, develop headaches, stomach aches or sleep problems, chew on objects, or pick on their nails or skin.

These difficulties are seen both at home and at school, and may affect learning, interaction with other children and family members, and participation in group activities. Children with untreated anxiety are at risk for under-achievement in school and may struggle to make friends. Sensory processing difficulties may increase anxiety.

Children with depression may display excessive sadness, loss of enjoyment in their preferred activities, self-isolation, aggressive behavior, irritability, lack of energy, change in appetite and sleep patterns, and suicidal ideation or plan and threats to hurt others.

Children with untreated depression are at risk for under-achievement in school, difficulty making friends, and hurting themselves or others.

Aggressive behaviors towards others and oneself can be caused by difficulties with communication and sensory processing. They can also be associated with mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, and genetic disorders. These behaviors can also be triggered by physical health issues, such as constipation, dental issues or undiagnosed pain.

Children with untreated aggressive behaviors are at risk for difficulties making friends and hurting themselves or others.

Wandering by children with autism is common and can be dangerous. It also puts tremendous stress on families and caregivers. It is important to develop a comprehensive safety plan which includes wandering prevention strategies.