Hidden Disabilities – More than Meets the Eye

, ,

By Molly Johnson, MSW, LSW – October 30, 2024 –

Have you ever heard any of the following?  “They don’t look disabled to me.”  “Doesn’t seem to me that they need handicap parking. They walk just fine.” “I think they just wanted to bring their pet along. They seem perfectly healthy and have no need for a service animal.”

When most people think of a person with a disability, they most often think of physical disabilities. While physical disabilities are debilitating, hidden disabilities are often forgotten. Unfortunately, individuals with hidden disabilities are often made to feel as though they are faking or trying to get special accommodations without need.

According to Hidden Disabilities Association, a hidden or invisible disability is a “physical, mental, or neurological condition that is not visible from the outside, yet can limit or challenge a person’s movements, senses, or activities.”

Many disabilities are not easy to detect. Examples of hidden disabilities include mental illness, lupus, autism, asthma, cancer, arthritis, learning disabilities, and many more.

These disabilities are not immediately obvious to others. For some people, this can make it difficult to believe that someone with a “non-visible” disability needs extra help and support.

Every individual – with or without disabilities – is unique. It is important to teach children to be kind to others, as we do not know what an individual is experiencing. Following are some suggestions on how to teach kindness and acceptance:

  1. As the adult, look for opportunities to model kindness and acceptance of others. Children learn by watching. Watching an adult take time to be caring toward another person increases the likelihood the child will replicate this behavior.
  2. Involve the child in creating ideas to be kind to others. Brainstorm ideas how to be kind at school, to siblings, to church members, and to themselves.
  3. Encourage children to ask questions about differences. Doing so allows them to learn about people that may not be exactly like them. When students understand why others are different, it makes it easier to accept their differences.

No two people with a disability will look alike. It is important to teach students to treat others with kindness and to stand up for people that need assistance. Just because a disability does not meet the eye does not mean it fails to exist.

If you would like additional information or have a child in need of support due to a hidden (or visible) disability, please reach out to the Youth First Mental Health Professional in your child’s school. To find out if your school has a Youth First Mental Health Professional, please use this link: https://youthfirstinc.org/mentalhealthprofessional

/by

Developing Your Child’s Attention Span

, ,

By Megan Shake, MSW, LCSW – October 23, 2024 –

How long is your child’s attention span? Many people assume children’s attention spans should be longer than they actually are. You might be surprised to learn that the average is generally two minutes per year of age.

So, if your child is five years old, their attention span is about 10 minutes. Like anything else a child learns, it takes time and practice to help develop their attention span. It is not something that can be forced or happen overnight.

As parents and caregivers, we may become frustrated when a child won’t sit still or focus on a task for a period of time, but it is important to remember where the child’s development stands. Consider if their inattention is developmentally typical or not. Sometimes our expectations for children’s attention spans are high, but their brains may not be ready yet. After all, the brain is not fully developed until the age of 25 or even 30, so it is no surprise that they have a lot of room for growth.

The following are ways to help support the development of your child’s attention span.

Celebrate small wins each time your child stays on task. Positive words and encouragement go a long way to motivate a child. Provide activities that encourage thinking, such as a puzzle, memory game, or activity book.


It’s important to note that screen time does not help develop attention spans. It may seem like it does since the child is sitting still, but it doesn’t provide sufficient practice, as the brain isn’t doing the work during this time. In fact, it may have the opposite effect. Some studies show that increased screen time has even been linked to reduced attention spans and concentration skills.


Other helpful ideas include breaking larger tasks into smaller ones, keeping instructions clear and simple, removing distractions, and following consistent routines. Also remember that context is a big factor. Consider situational and physical aspects such as how the child is feeling, what time of day it is, if it is a noisy environment, if they are hungry, tired, and so forth.


Additionally, providing breaks is extremely important. Breaks help kids rest, regulate, reset, and refocus their attention. While there are countless brain break ideas out there, some include various breathing techniques, guided meditations, yoga, stretching, playing, and going outside. 


Finally, if you feel that your child is struggling with their attention span beyond what you feel you can support with these strategies or beyond what is typical for their age, don’t be afraid to reach out to your child’s doctor or others to seek professional help.

/by

Recognizing Signs of an Eating Disorder in Your Child

, ,

By Courtney Beitler, MSW, LCSW – October 17, 2024 –

As a parent, being attentive to your child’s well-being is crucial, especially when it comes to their relationship with food and body image. Eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background, and early detection is key to intervention and recovery.

It is often assumed that eating disorders impact only females. According to the National Eating Disorders Association in 2020, up to 30 million people in the United States suffer from an eating disorder; 20 million of those are women compared to 10 million men. These figures encompass various eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.

So, what are some signs to watch for in your child or teenager? Changes in eating habits could mean the onset of an eating disorder. Be mindful of drastic changes in eating patterns, such as skipping meals, making excuses to avoid eating with the family, or sudden interest in restrictive diets. Be aware of any body image concerns by paying attention to negative comments about body shape or weight, excessive preoccupation with appearance, or sudden interest in intense exercise regimens.

The above signs could also lead to withdrawal or isolation and mood swings. Isolation can be seen from the family as well as from friends and peers. Notice if your child or teen becomes more withdrawn, irritable, or anxious, especially around mealtimes or social gatherings involving food.

Physical symptoms can be easier to spot, and unfortunately, a symptom of a progressing eating disorder. Physical symptoms include the following: weight loss or weight fluctuations, fatigue, dizziness, frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, or the development of unusual food rituals.

Be wary if your child or teen starts hiding food, food wrappers, or becomes secretive about their eating habits. Oftentimes, a person struggling with an eating disorder simultaneously becomes interested in food or cooking. While interest in cooking (without other symptoms present) is a positive, an obsessive focus on food preparation or constantly talking about food may indicate an unhealthy relationship with eating.

If you notice some of these signs in your child or teen, it is important to express concern as soon as possible. Be aware that denial and defensiveness are also common behaviors for someone with an eating disorder. If you express concern about your child’s eating habits or body image, observe how they respond. Denial, defensiveness, or anger could be indicators of underlying issues.

It’s essential to approach your child with empathy and understanding. Open communication and seeking professional help from a healthcare provider or therapist specializing in eating disorders are vital steps towards intervention and support. Remember, early intervention can significantly improve the chances of recovery and overall well-being for your child.


Below are some outpatient resources for eating disorder treatment in southern/central Indiana:

The Chestnut Group of Indiana
Evansville, IN

812-221-2710

Lampion Center
Evansville, IN

812-471-1776

Stanton Nutrition Counseling
Evansville, IN

812-491-0194

LifeStance Health
Evansville, IN

812-247-8010

Boca Recovery Center
Bloomington, IN
812-413-9796

Indiana Health Group
Carmel, IN
317-653-4897

Care to Change
Avon, IN
317-350-8663

Arbor Wellness
Indianapolis, IN
615-805-6119

/by

When Your Child Refuses Therapy

, ,

By Beth Greene, MSW, LSW – October 9, 2024 –

As a society, we have made great strides in raising awareness for mental health. Mental health is more openly discussed, and people are more aware of signs and symptoms. These strides have added support in our homes, schools, and communities that did not exist 20 years ago.

Technology has assisted with the availability of mental health information, but unfortunately, many people stop there. We still have a long way to go, because let’s face it, actually seeking mental health treatment continues to have stigmas for both adults and children.

Sometimes parents, doctors, or school personnel will recognize the signs and symptoms of a mental health concern in a child, but the child may refuse treatment, or the parent may be hesitant due to denial or fear of bias from others. Many people feel they can handle the problems they are facing on their own or feel uncomfortable talking to a “stranger” about their problems. Some parents feel guilty or embarrassed talking about their child or family’s home life stressors.

Trying something new can be scary, but it’s important that we take our mental health just as seriously as our physical health. So how do we convince our children to go to therapy when, as a society, we may still experience discrimination towards mental health supports and seeking professional help?

First, openly discuss mental health issues in an age-appropriate way with your child. Verbalize how you feel and what you need when you are experiencing stress, grief, or a traumatic life event. Schedule therapy for yourself when you notice healthy coping skills aren’t enough or you find yourself coping in unhealthy ways, like isolating yourself or using drugs and alcohol to cope.

Next, utilize school counselors and social workers. Often times, a school-based mental health professional can provide support, mentorship, guidance, and healing. However, if the school-based social worker does not have expertise in the area of concern or there isn’t progress being made in the identified area of concern, it would be important to seek outpatient services.

School-based mental health professionals do provide support for trauma-related concerns; however, it’s not always appropriate to expect a child to process their trauma while at school and then return to their regular studies. Some children will say they only feel comfortable with their school-based mental health provider and say they don’t want an outpatient therapist. However, the school resource is only available during school hours. The school-based professional can help have these difficult conversations with your child as well.

Lastly, if your child continues to refuse to go to therapy, it could be appropriate for the parent to make a therapy appointment for themselves to receive support for their own stressors and guidance on how they can support their child outside of therapy.

The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) reveals that every year, about 21 percent of adults in the US are affected by some kind of mental health issue. Unfortunately, not everyone from this population seeks help. According to NAMI, “Less than half of this population seeks professional guidance – with many of them reaching out for help after nearly a decade of hesitance and denial.”

These statistics show that many mental health signs and symptoms are showing up in childhood but are untreated until adulthood. Talk to your doctor, school counselor, or social worker about local mental health providers for your child if you suspect they may be struggling with their mental health.

/by

Mindfulness Can Help Your Child Handle Stress

, ,

By Jordyn Bryant, MSW, LSW – October 2, 2024 –

Having stress or anxiety as a child can be hard. Often, children hear, “You are too young to have stress” or other statements that dismiss their feelings. Recognizing that children can have negative emotions about things adults consider “small” or “trivial” can help children validate their feelings and begin to cope with them to regulate their emotions.

One healthy coping mechanism is mindfulness.

According to understood.org, practicing mindfulness can ease feelings of stress and anxiety. Mindfulness is the practice of staying in the moment, which helps children and adults identify how they are feeling right then and how they can adjust to a more neutral thought or feeling.

Often when we are thinking of something, we tend to think of how it played out in the past or how it can play out in the future. When we stay in the moment, it helps to focus on what can help now instead of what hurt us in the past or what could go wrong in the future.

A big part of mindfulness is focusing on your breathing. When your thoughts begin to go elsewhere, focus on how your breathing feels to bring you back into the present,  recognizing and acknowledging how you feel in the moment. When children learn this, they are better able to practice self-control and strengthen their resiliency. According to mindful.org, studies show that the benefits of mindfulness for children are:

  • Increased focus
  • Improved academic performance
  • Decreased levels of stress

Working on these things can bolster confidence and improve emotional regulation and the overall well-being of a child’s mental health.

As adults, the more we practice and model mindfulness ourselves, the more we can help our children learn. It is important to recognize the feelings in ourselves and our children. Recognizing that having feelings is okay – even the ones that do not feel so good – is a way to have a healthy emotional balance. Being mentally and emotionally healthy can create positive changes in life, including our physical health, creating stronger families, and having more positive social skills. You can practice mindfulness in everyday life, even when you do not have time for 20-30 minutes of breathing and yoga.

Some examples are:

  • Practicing gratitude
  • Checking in with your body
  • Utilizing your 5 senses
  • Focusing on your breathing
  • Practicing active listening

Practicing mindfulness and helping children practice mindfulness sets us up for success in different aspects of our lives. You will be amazed to recognize the changes that come with being in the “here and now” vs. thinking about the unknowns and the “should haves.”

/by