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CHILD GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING * 1 HOUR * LEVEL 2

Easing Separation Anxiety

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Page 9
Separation is a normal part of each child’s development and is typically nothing to be worried about. Unfortunately there are some situations where separation anxiety is no longer typical and warrants a closer look. Approximately 4-5% of children suffer from separation anxiety disorder which includes symptoms such as interruption of sleep, refusal of going places, physical symptoms and more. After about age three, separation anxiety should subside for the most part, but may still occur during times of stress or uncertainty. It should not be a part of everyday life, though. 
Symptoms of separation anxiety disorder:
  • Excessive anxiety about a loved one
  • Difficulty sleeping without a parent or guardian nearby
  • Recurrent headaches or stomach aches with no known cause
  • Unrealistic fears about being lost or kidnapped
  • Excessive whining, crying, begging when separated from a loved one
There are many factors that can cause separation anxiety disorder. Some of these include:
  • Neglect
  • Instability at home
  • Mental-health conditions
  • Family history of anxiety

Other Factors

There can be other factors that will cause separation anxiety or similar behaviors in children. A child may feel unsafe at child care and may experience separation anxiety at arrival because of this. Perhaps they have had negative experiences at a previous child care center, or have never been in child care before. Separation anxiety may also occur if there is physical, verbal, emotional or other abuse occurring at child care. Bullying may also create a sense of fear in children as young as preschool. Another potential factor may be a recent divorce or other family change that is creating stress at home for the child.

Children thrive on routine and need to feel safe. If for any reason they do not feel safe, it can develop into a bigger problem that may require professional assistance.
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If there is atypical separation anxiety that is not easily explained, it is important to look further into the situation and work with the child and family to ease the anxiety as much as possible. At times a medical or mental-health professional may need to be involved or other accommodations may need to be made.