Is My Child OK?: When Behavior is a Problem, When It's Not, and When to Seek Help [Paperback]

Henry A. Paul (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 12, 2000

My kindergartner insists on wearing the same dress day after day.  What should I do?
My twelve-year-old is a target of the class bully.  Should I intervene?  
My four-year-old is coming home with other kids' toys in his pocket.  Should I be concerned?

Is my child normal? Every parent has asked the question at one time or another. Now this wise and compassionate guide, written by an expert in children's mental health, offers reassuring words for worried parents--plus concrete ways to spot the difference between a normal stage of development...and a true problem. In most cases, childhood problems will clear up with a healthy dose of common sense and loving parental attention. But sometimes professional help or medication is needed. This one-stop reference book--organized by symptom and covering everything from tantrums to learning disorders--tells parents what's "normal," what's not, how best to help your child through a rocky period, and when to get an expert's help.
Discover:
How much fighting between siblings is "normal" (page 94)
What to do if your child is the class bully--or the victim of a bully (page 89)
How to determine if your child has ADD--or if he's just a little more active and a little less patient (page 106)
Tough questions parents must ask themselves when they're dealing with chronic separation anxiety (page 37)
How to help a child who suddenly refuses to go to school (page 124)
The growing concern surrounding childhood eating disorders (page 172)
And much more

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

My kindergartner insists on wearing the same dress day after day. What should I do?
My twelve-year-old is a target of the class bully. Should I intervene?
My four-year-old is coming home with other kids' toys in his pocket. Should I be concerned?

Is my child normal? Every parent has asked the question at one time or another. Now this wise and compassionate guide, written by an expert in children's mental health, offers reassuring words for worried parents--plus concrete ways to spot the difference between a normal stage of development...and a true problem. In most cases, childhood problems will clear up with a healthy dose of common sense and loving parental attention. But sometimes professional help or medication is needed. This one-stop reference book--organized by symptom and covering everything from tantrums to learning disorders--tells parents what's "normal," what's not, how best to help your child through a rocky period, and when to get an expert's help.
Discover:
How much fighting between siblings is "normal" (page 94)
What to do if your child is the class bully--or the victim of a bully (page 89)
How to determine if your child has ADD--or if he's just a little more active and a little less patient (page 106)
Tough questions parents must ask themselves when they're dealing with chronic separation anxiety (page 37)
How to help a child who suddenly refuses to go to school (page 124)
The growing concern surrounding childhood eating disorders (page 172)
And much more

About the Author

Henry A. Paul, M.D., is a psychiatrist, educator, and author who has helped thousands of children and their parents for over twenty-five years. In addition to being in private practice, he is also the executive director of the Karen Horney Clinic in New York City and the president of the American Institute for Psychoanalysis. He is on the faculties of the Mount Sinai Medical Center and Columbia University, and he appears regularly on national television and radio programs. Dr. Paul is also a consultant to the New York City Administration for Children's Services and other child welfare organizations. He is the author of When Kids Are Mad, Not Bad.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Dell (September 12, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440508878
• ISBN-13: 978-0440508878
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,406,630 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sound Counsel Without Psycho-babble, March 23, 2001

By 

Rocco B. Rubino "Rocco R." (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Is My Child OK?: When Behavior is a Problem, When It's Not, and When to Seek Help (Paperback)

There is an acute public health crisis in this nation; a crisis precipitated by the burden of suffering experienced by children with mental health needs, and their families. Today's students are challenged by an array of concern that directly impact their well-being. Child abuse, family dysfunction, economic dislocation, and the prevalence of violence, sex, and the objectification of woment in our popular culture all influence childrens' lives each day. Children represent 100% of our future. Therefore fostering social and emotional health in children as a component of healthy child development must be a national priority.

Anyone who is a parent has asked him or herself at one time "is my child ok?" Dr. Paul has written a cogent, no-nonsese book that will equip parents to be better informed about the mental health issues of children.

As a parent of two children, and as a teacher of children with special needs, I have found this book to be extremely useful. Dr. Paul skillfully and gently guides the reader to help her discern when a child's behavior is "just a stage she is going through," and, therefore "developmentally appropriate," as well as what to look for when dealing with maladaptive behaviors, and mental health issues.

This book is a must read for parents, teachers, school couselors, and anyone else who has a stake in the mental health of children. Children represent 100% of our future. We need to care for them as best as we can. Dr. Paul's work can help do just that.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keep This Book At Your Bedside, December 6, 2000

By 

JudyG "I like words." (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Is My Child OK?: When Behavior is a Problem, When It's Not, and When to Seek Help (Paperback)

Because kids communicate more through behavior than words its so hard sometimes to judge if there is a serious problem or if your child is just struggling to communicate something to you. This book is a great aid in getting insight into your child and holding a parent back from pathologizing them. As the mother of two young boys, I really appreciate the compassionate attitude toward children-- And the reassuring words to the often freaked- out mom. This would definately be one of my "desert island" parenting books.

3.0 out of 5 stars Information not updated, May 9, 2007

By 

J. L Martin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Is My Child OK?: When Behavior is a Problem, When It's Not, and When to Seek Help (Paperback)

I have not read the whole book, as I was interested in info on autism and SID. However, the stats it gives for autism is 2 in 10,000. With all the awareness out there now on autism stating that it is now in fact 1 in 166, I did not even bother to read further. The information is not up to date on these issues. If you are buying it for other reasons, I'm sure it would be fine. Good Luck...