What you need to know
- Social withdrawal is common and may be in part due to speech problems.
- Attention deficit is common and may make the behaviors in a classroom challenging.
- Anxiety, perseveration and autism spectrum disorders can also be present and contribute to social withdrawal.
- Individuals may have poor social judgement and decision-making.
- It is important to help individuals set goals that match their desires and abilities.
What you can do
- Consider treatments:
- Behavioral supports
- Counseling
- Medication
- Be proactive with behavioral supports. Discuss involving behavioral or mental health professionals, or medication with the child’s parents, if needed.
- Firm directions, rules, and clear expectations are helpful
- The child may benefit from positive behavioral interventions
- Advocate for continued speech therapy to address speech differences
- Be alert for signs of autism and advocate for appropriate support
- Monitor for the need for additional support services for anxiety or depression
- Structure and routine can help reduce anxiety.