Any primary school teachers or mental health professionals on here?

[worriedaboutmychild]

I’m really worried about my 8 year old daughter. She seems very immature compared to the rest of the girls in her class. Normally I don’t mind but I found out today from the other kids - was walking to collect my daughter and one girl in her class stopped me and told me she saw my daughter eating mud from the ground 3 times! I asked my daughter and she denied it but her best friend who was nearby quietly told me outside of my daughters earshot she did this. There’s lots of other examples where she is seen to be strange and does things but the kids usually laugh but overtime I can see her behaviour is becoming more alarming.

i’m really worried and don’t know if I should be worried or whether it’s just normal behaviour for an 8 year old. She also acts like a baby and some kids laugh with her but a few give her a look especially the older ones. I’m really confused how to approach it.

I would speak to her teacher I think. Maybe she needs extra support. I have a ‘young’ 8 year old and tbh I’m grateful but eating mud seems a bit more than that.

I think your first port of call should be her class teacher and the school SENCo. Ask them to assess her - I think the examples you have given are good and should help them pinpoint whatever support may be needed. She may not have SEN - it may be worth talking to your GP about the mud issue in case pica or something is involved.

Thank you both. I think I have come across as overly anxious to the school on other unrelated issues so I think they may not take me seriously. Can someone help me with what I should write like a few key points?

She seems to have very low impulse control too and she can’t sit still. Doing homework she will fidget and jump around in her chair. During class assembly the kids were standing around normally whilst I observed she was kind of bouncing around.

I used to be a bit like this as a child, would impulsively do things to make other people laugh/ give me attention and didn’t really think things through. I was diagnosed with adhd as an adult which I think is why.

I would ask for a meeting, without your daughter initially. Try to write a list of issues separated into groups if possible - look at ADHD markers online in case anything jogs your memory as this sounds like you are heading in that direction? Try to summarise it as 'it could be emotional immaturity, but I think there is enough here that I'd like her assessed'. You may have to lush hard for assessment - our Senco is snowed under. If it is an option, you may get further with a private assessment as the school may decide not to assess if they decide the need isn't pressing enough. Because it doesn't sound like a learning need they will get funding for, you may not be priority (sorry, being realistic about stretched budgets) so private may be necessary.

They may think you are overreacting but stay strong; parental instinct is recognised as very important and it's their job to help you and listen.

@ElizaGolightly thank you so much.

I really don’t know how to help her. I wish I could have involved school earlier. I’ve always felt something was wrong but couldn’t see what.

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Bump

I think eating mud is pica and associated with iron and zinc deficiencies. Maybe blood tests at the Drs would be worth doing for iron but also ferritin (iron stores). Sounds like speaking to the Senco is important too.

It’s not too late OP. You sound like a great mother for spotting this and being determined to sort it out.

I have two dses with ADHD. They are both doing much better for a diagnosis and understanding themselves and being understood by teachers.

Hi OP, I am a primary teacher and teach Y3 (lots of 8 year olds!). Eating mud is known as pica, and can often be associated with iron deficiency. I'd take her to the GP about that.

I would definitely arrange a meeting with your DD's teacher to chat about your concerns. A good teacher won't mind doing this at all.

How is she performing at school academically and socially? If all fine then I wouldn't worry it's just quirks. If not then ask school to help investigate further and perhaps ask for an educational psychologist