Difficult Child

Do You Have a Difficult Child? FAMILY QUESTIONS: ANSWER "YES" OR "NO" 1. Do you find your child hard to raise? 2. Do you find the child's behavior hard to understand? 3. Are you often battling the child? 4. Do you feel inadequate or guilty as a parent? 5. Is your marriage or family life being affected by the child? CHILD QUESTIONS The headings below identify possibly difficult areas of your child's temperament (his or her innate makeup). Rate your child, in an overall way, on each item, using this scale: 0 = No problem (never present or just a little) 1 = Moderate problem (sometimes present) 2 = Definite problem (often present) 3 = Extreme problem (nearly always or always) HIGH ACTIVITY LEVEL: Restless, squirmy, fidgety; always into things, "hyper," makes you tired; "ran before he walked"; easily overstimulated; trouble sitting still or playing quietly; "motormouth"; hates to be confined; easily gets wild or "revved up." IMPULSIVITY: Acts without thinking; quick hot temper, easily frustrated; impatient, excitable; interrupts, calls out, doesn't await turn; grabs or pushes; can lose control and become aggressive; can suddenly take off. DISTRACTIBILITY: Has problems focusing and paying attention, especially if not really interested; trouble following instructions; doesn't "listen," tunes you out, daydreams; disorganized, forgetful. HIGH INTENSITY: Loud voice; forceful, overwhelming; strong emotions whether miserable, angry, or happy. IRREGULARITY: Unpredictable body rhythms; can't tell when he'll be hungry or tired, resulting in conflicts over meals and bedtime; wakes up at night; erratic toilet habits. NEGATIVE PERSISTENCE: Very strong-willed, stubborn; goes on and on nagging, whining, or negotiating if wants something; relentless, won't give up, wears you down; gets "locked in"; may have long tantrums. LOW SENSORY THRESHOLD: Physically, not emotionally sensitive; highly aware of color, light, appearance, texture, sound, smell, taste, or temperature (not necessarily all of these); "creative," but with strong and sometimes unusual preferences that can be embarrassing; bothered by bright lights and loud noises; particular, picky; clothes have to feel or look right; doesn't like the way many foods look, smell, or taste; feels too cold (or too hot) when no one else does. INITIAL WITHDRAWAL: Shy and reserved with new adults and/or children; doesn't like new situations and unfamiliar settings; holds back or protests by crying, clinging, or tantruming if forced to go forward. POOR ADAPTABILITY: Has trouble with transition and change of activity or routine; inflexible, notices minor details; gets used to things and won't give them up; can want the same clothes or foods over and over; "creature of habit"; even after initial response takes a long time to adapt. NEGATIVE MOOD: Serious or cranky, doesn't show pleasure openly; not a "sunny" disposition. WHAT YOUR RATING MEANS FAMILY "YES" CHILD CONCLUSION 0-1 + 4-7 points = Some difficult features 2-3 + 8-14 points = Difficult child 4-5 Turecki, Stanley K. is the author of 'Difficult Child' with ISBN 9780553344462 and ISBN 0553344463.