Manhattan Psychology Group

Comprehensive Psychological, Behavioral & Educational Services in NYC for Children, Adolescents & Adults

 

— TeleHealth Services Available! —
Call 646-450-6210 to Schedule a Consultation

  • Home
  • About MPG
    • Mission & Vision
    • Staff
    • Jobs
  • Child & Adolescent
    • Problems We Treat
      • Anger Management
      • Anxiety Disorders
      • Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
      • Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
      • Bipolar Disorder
      • Chronic Pain
      • Depression
      • Executive Functioning Problems
      • Relationship Difficulties, Family Conflict, Separation & Divorce
      • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
      • Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
      • School Refusal
      • Sleeping Problems
      • Social Communication Pragmatic Disorder
      • Social Skills Problems
      • Tics / Tourette’s / Compulsive Behaviors
      • Toilet Training Problems
      • Trauma / PTSD / Abuse
    • Testing
      • Neuropsychological Testing
    • Treatment Services
      • Academic Tutoring
      • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy for Children
      • Behavioral Parent Management Training (PMT) (Kids 8+)
      • Behavioral Tutoring & Homework Help
      • Biofeedback Therapy
      • Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
      • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Treatment for Chronic Pain
      • Early Intervention Services (Private)
      • Executive Function Training & Coaching
      • Family Therapy
      • Habit Reversal Training (HRT) & Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics
      • In-Home Therapy & Behavior Plans
      • Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) (Ages 2-7)
      • Parent Child Interaction Therapy-Toddlers (PCIT-T) (Ages 12-24 months)
      • Play Therapy
      • Return-to-School Safety Evaluations
      • School-Based Shadow Program
      • School & Teacher Consultations
      • Selective Mutism Treatment
      • Social Skills Training Groups
      • Summer Camp – Big Apple Day Program
      • Teacher Child Interaction Training (TCIT)
      • The “Coping Cat” Anxiety Program
  • Adults & Couples
    • Problems We Treat
      • Abuse / Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
      • Anger & Stress Problems
      • Anxiety Disorders
      • Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
      • Depression & Bipolar
      • Executive Functioning Problems
      • Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Concerns
      • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
      • Relationships, Divorce & Separation
      • Tics, Tourette’s & Trichotillomania
      • Workplace Issues
    • Treatment Services
      • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • Couples Therapy & Marriage Counseling
      • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • Executive Function Training
      • Habit Reversal Training (HRT)
      • Holistic Mental Health Consulting
      • Life Coaching
      • Mindfulness Training
      • Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
      • Women’s Health Consulting
      • Stress & Anger Management
      • Workplace & Travel Consulting
    • About Dr. Dardashti
  • Getting Started
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Workshops / Press / Media
    • Products
    • Pay by Credit Card or Zelle
    • FAQ
  • Contact Us
    • Professional Email Sign-Up

Last updated on December 5, 2016 By MPGteam

Coping with Separation Anxiety in the New School Year

daughter and momWhat is Separation Anxiety?

Separation anxiety is the stage where a young child becomes anxious at the threat of separating from their primary attachment figure. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV, separation anxiety is a fairly common anxiety disorder, which occurs in children younger than 18 years old and persists for at least 4 weeks.

Signs of Typical Separation Anxiety:

  • Clinginess
  • Crying when a parent is out of sight
  • Strong preference for only one parent over all other people
  • Fear of strangers, or of family and friends who are not frequently seen
  • Resistance to separation at bedtime or nap time
  • Waking at night crying for a parent
  • Regression to an earlier stage of development, such as thumb-sucking or “baby-talk”
  • Anxiety that is easily eliminated upon a parent’s appearance

Clinically Significant Symptoms:

  • Reluctance to fall asleep without being near the primary attachment figure
  • Excessive distress (e.g., tantrums) when separation is imminent
  • Nightmares about separation-related themes
  • Bedwetting
  • Homesickness (e.g., a desire to return home or make contact with the primary caregiver when separated)
  • Frequent physical or somatic symptoms (e.g., abdominal pain and palpitations)
  • Fear of being alone

Ways to Help Your Child Cope With Separation Anxiety:

  • Encourage independent playtime at home
  • Model calm behavior: Try to appear relaxed with a happy or calm expression
  • Promote positive self-esteem
  • For preschool aged children, a play Hide and Seek or Peek-a-boo. Play this game at home and allow a full minute to pass without being visible to your child.

Ideas for Drop-Off Routines:SepAnxiety2

  • Help your child hang up their coat
  • Read a book in the reading area and wave goodbye from the door
  • Encourage your child to draw a picture to bring home for you
  • Attach a picture of your family in the child’s cubby
  • Allow your child to carry something special into school daily

*However, it is very important to discuss your drop-off routine with the classroom teacher to make sure it is acceptable in that classroom.

Book Recommendations for Transitioning Back to School:SepAnxiety3

  • The Kissing Hand, by Audrey Penn
  • Llama Llama Misses Mama, by Anna Dewdney
  • I Love You All Day Long, by Francesca Rusackas and Priscilla Burris
  • First Day Jitters, by Julie Danneburg and Judith Dufour Love
  • The Invisible String, by Patrice Karst

Written by  Carly Klayman, LMSW

Filed Under: Child & Adolescent Therapy, Parenting & Family Therapy

Categories

  • Adult & Couples Therapy
  • Authors
  • Best Practices
  • Child & Adolescent Therapy
  • Holistic Health
  • Parenting & Family Therapy
  • Social Skills Training

Contact Us

For immediate assistance, contact us today at 646-450-6210 or visit our Contact page to submit an inquiry and view our locations.

SEARCH

Professional Newsletter

Click to Subscribe
Sign up to receive important practice updates from Dr. Rosenthal, just for professionals!

Upper West Side Office

107 West 82nd St, LL Suite P101
(Corner of Columbus Ave)
New York, NY 10024

DOWNLOAD MPG COLOR FLYER© Copyright 2021 Manhattan Psychology Group, PC · All Rights ReservedDOWNLOAD MPG B/W FLYER

1