Maya Will Not Sit Still, Or Is It More? – what this story teaches, the signs and what to do

From the book – Chapter 33: How Mental Health Conditions Are Assessed and Diagnosed

Maya Will Not Sit Still, Or Is It More?

Maya, eight, in Hyderabad, had been called lazy and careless by her teacher. She lost her things, stared out of the window and sometimes cried before school. Her parents, Neha and Suresh, were told to wait and see. A year later nothing had improved, and Maya had started saying she was stupid.

Neha finally took Maya to a paediatrician. The doctor spoke with Maya in a gentle way, observed her at play and asked about pregnancy, early development, sleep and family. She asked the school to send a report and gave both parents and the teacher a questionnaire.

What this story explains

This story shows how children are assessed, using the child, parents, school, observation, developmental history and tests, and why waiting too long costs the child.

How to recognise it

A child labelled lazy, careless or naughty with no assessment.
Difficulties persisting across home and school for months.
Tears, low confidence or avoidance of school.
Parents advised to 'wait and see' while problems continue.
Possible hidden causes such as hearing, vision, sleep or learning problems.

What to do

Write down what you see at home and when it began.
Ask the school for specific examples and a written report.
Visit a paediatrician or child specialist, with the child comfortable and informed.
Share the developmental history from pregnancy and early years.
Check hearing, vision and sleep as part of the assessment.
Work with the school on adjustments and review progress.

Do and don’t

Do	Don’t
Do act early.	Don't call her lazy or stupid.
Do speak kindly to the child.	Don't wait and see for too long.
Do share information between home and school.	Don't compare her with siblings.
Do praise strengths.	Don't blame parents or the child.
Do review progress.	Don't rely on one test alone.

Read the full story

Read the full chapter – Chapter 33: How Mental Health Conditions Are Assessed and Diagnosed

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Maya Will Not Sit Still, Or Is It More? – what this story teaches, the signs and what to do