Straight Talk about Your Child's Mental Health

Parents reach for dog-eared copies of Dr Spock when their child has a rash or the flu, but when 'moodiness' lingers or worrisome behavior problems grow, they have nowhere to turn for answers or reassurance. Now, in this compassionate resource, prominent Harvard researcher Dr Stephen V. Faraone gives parents the tools they need to look clearly at how a child is feeling, thinking, and behaving and make wise decisions about when to call for professional help. Cues and questions teach readers to become scientific observers of their child, and vital facts about common disorders help them distinguish between normal variations in speech development and Asperger syndrome, between moodiness that's just a phase and depression, between childhood fears and the symptoms of anxiety. Knowing what to ask - and tell - the professionals, from the pediatrician to a mental health specialist, will help parents ensure a complete and accurate diagnosis. Filled with handy sidebars, charts, and checklists, the book also teaches parents to weigh treatment options to determine what's best for their child.