Common Mental Health Disorders in Children  

Mental illness impacts everyone, including children. One in six children in the United States struggles with a mental health disorder, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.¹ That means several children in every classroom are dealing with mental health issues.

Pediatric Therapeutic Services (PTS) discusses several common mental health disorders in children and classroom-level supports available through our services below.

Most Common Mental Health Disorders in Children

While children can experience a variety of mental health struggles, some disorders are more common in children than others.

Anxiety Disorders

Lots of children experience anxiety in their lives. Some children develop anxiety disorders such as:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Panic Disorders

Some students may find school to be a source of anxiety and require supports that help them relax, focus, and self-soothe throughout the day. Often, children with anxiety disorders feel powerless or helpless when anxious. This may transfer into physical symptoms, such as stomach aches, trouble sleeping, shortness of breath, or sweaty hands.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is a common disorder that affects children during their childhood and into adulthood. Children may have trouble paying attention in class or sitting still. Some children may experience overstimulation or become overwhelmed and unable to focus on or complete common tasks.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological condition that often is noticed in early childhood but can be diagnosed at any age. Autistic children may get overwhelmed more easily or have trouble connecting with other students in socially expected ways.

Both children with ADHD and Autism may benefit from sensory calming spaces and time in their schedules to recover from overstimulation.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can happen to young children as well as teenagers. These can happen due to a disruption in a child’s life, low self-esteem, and anxiety. An eating disorder can help a child regain a sense of control over their body or life. There are several types of eating disorders, and these can overlap with other mental health struggles a child may be experiencing.

Depression and Mood Disorders

Depression is a mood disorder that includes feelings of sadness, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, and irritability. Other mood disorders can cause mood swings, including extreme emotional highs and lows, which can lead to unsafe actions or self-harming behavior.

Helping children get more involved with lessons, school activities, and their community can help alleviate symptoms of depression and other mood disorders.

How Classroom-Level Supports Can Help Children with Mental Challenges

Children struggling with mental illness may require extra support in the classroom. Therapists and teachers can work together to identify students who may be struggling and provide support that strengthens their ability to process feelings and connect with their classmates.

We employ a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) approach in classrooms, which offers three support tiers:

• Tier 1: Classroom Level Support
• Their 2: Short-term, Small-Group Support
• Tier 3: Individual Therapeutic Support

Classroom level supports are for every child in the classroom. These supports can promote mental health awareness, self-soothing techniques, and anything else that may benefit all children in the school.

Those who need a little more attention may benefit from Tier 2 support. Small groups can feel less overwhelming and let children who may all be struggling to connect and feel less alone.

Therapists or teachers can use individual therapeutic support to identify a student who needs special attention. A child may need Tier 3 support for a long or short period and rejoin Tier 2 or Tier 1 support when ready.

Get Support for Children Struggling with Mental Challenges

If your school is interested in providing more support for children struggling with mental health issues, consider integrating PTS’s classroom support into your school. The therapists who work alongside PTS are passionate about helping children thrive in an academic and social environment. Contact us to learn more about supporting children with mental health disorders in schools today.

¹ https://www.nami.org/mhstats