FOOD PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN: RECOGNIZING HYPERKINETIC SYNDROME
The first step for any parent is to decide whether their child’s behaviour really is abnormal. As Dr Philip Graham of the Institute of Child Health in London points out: ‘All normal children show some degree of aggressiveness, disobedience and antisocial behaviour: all at times show sadness, depression, anxiety and social withdrawal. All are at times unusually active and distractible. What makes a child a cause for concern is the severity and persistence of the problematic behaviour in question.’
Although a child like Matthew clearly shows abnormal behaviour, others with hyperkinetic syndrome may only be mildly affected. In such cases, it may be quite difficult to distinguish hyperkinetic syndrome from ‘normal’ behaviour – emotional upset and misconduct may be due to family tensions, lack of discipline, an unsettled home life, difficulties at school, or a great variety of other causes. It is very tempting for parents to attribute their child’s awful behaviour to some simple external cause when the real problem lies within the family. Conversely, some parents may find lively, childish behaviour disruptive and label it as ‘hyperactive’ when in fact it is perfectly normal. Parents may not always be the best judge of what is wrong with their child, and it is a good idea to discuss the problem with a sympathetic teacher, doctor or child psychiatrist, keeping an open mind about the possible causes of the problem.
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