Identifying Childhood Depression

Did you know that pre-schoolers are among the fastest-growing age bracket to which antidepressants are being marketed, according to studies published in "Psychiatric Services"? Researchers estimate that more than a million young children are clinically depressed.

Depression is an illness that affects millions of adults but does not discriminate by age. Children can be just as likely to develop the condition, especially if there is a genetic component, meaning depression runs in the family.

The symptoms of depression may be different in children than in adults. This coupled with a child's inability to sometimes express what he or she is feeling can make diagnosing childhood depression more difficult. Signs include, but are not limited to, rage, irritability, bedwetting, and physical complaints, such as stomach aches, dizziness and headaches.

Depression is a broad term that covers a few different clinical disorders. Children most often experience "reactive depression," or the blues brought on by a change in circumstance or loss. Divorce, moving or attending a new school can induce this form of depression.

Children also may experience dysthymia, also known as low-grade depression. Counseling and treatment with medication for the short-term can help.

Major depression is less likely in children, but teenagers may suffer from it. In fact, research indicates that dabbling with drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine and heroin during the teen years is often a way to self-medicate and alleviate depression symptoms. However, it can simply make matters worse.

Manic depression, also known as bi-polar disorder, can occur in children primarily if it runs in the family. If you or a relative has bi-polar disorder and your child is exhibiting symptoms of extreme highs and lows in behavior, see a doctor promptly for treatment.

Depression is a treatable illness, provided steps are taken to promptly identify and treat the condition. Most psychiatric experts agree that a combination of medication and counseling is the key to dealing with depression.

CAPTION: Anger, irritability or aggression in children could be signs of childhood depression.

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When Should My Child Start School?

(MS) - When should my child start school? Many parents wrestle with this exact question as they slowly come upon their child's birthday and the accepted age when they can enter kindergarten.

In many states in the U.S. a child who reaches age 5 before the cutoff for kindergarten registration or another district-set date is eligible to begin. Therefore, many parents begin their child's school career at this time. In fact, according to a Baby Center/Parent Center Web site poll, 63 percent of polled parents felt that children were ready for kindergarten at age 5, and 54 percent of respondents had enrolled their child at age 5.

However, there are many other children who have been in school two or more years by the time they reach kindergarten, having been enrolled in pre-school programs. Other children have been on the road to school much longer, having spent considerable time in a daycare/school environment program since they were born. On the flip side, there are those parents who choose to wait until their child is 6 before introducing any form of school. So who is right?

It's generally up to preference. Some experts believe that a child should not be pushed into school just because he or she reaches a specific age. It is argued that chronological age and developmental age are two entirely different things. Meaning a child may be chronologically ready for school at age 5, but emotionally and developmentally not ready. The opposite also holds true.

Studies on the effect of age at the time of kindergarten admittance are varied across the U.S. and in other parts of the world. Finnish children, for example, often begin kindergarten at age 7. There has been no evidence that starting later has restricted learning ability, and in later grades most students are on par with others who began earlier.

In a study published in the Journal of Educational Research, "Summer Birth Date Children: Kindergarten Entrance Age and Academic Achievement," Sandra L. Crosser compared academic achievement indices of seventh through ninth graders who entered kindergarten at age 5 with indices of similar children who entered at age 6. A summary of the findings said that there were significant statistical differences that favored older males and females, especially in reading for older males. But in "The Effect of a Child's Age at School Entrance on Reading Readiness and Achievement Test Scores," report scores from Metropolitan Reading Readiness Tests and the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills indicated no significant differences between Sample A, (younger students who were between the ages of 4 years 11 months and 5 years 4 months when entering kindergarte) and Sample B (older students who were between the ages of 5 years 5 months and 6 years 1 month).

Many educators agree that the decision to place a child in school should depend more on the child's developmental readiness and not chronological age. It has also been found that kindergarten teachers, for example, place less emphasis on the importance of prior knowledge of academic skills for children entering kindergarten than parents. Many parents assume their child should already know the alphabet, numbers and be able to use writing implements.

Therefore, use your child's readiness cues in determining when is the right time for school to start.

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Have an Eye on Kids' Sports Safety

(MS) - Heading a soccerball, returning a blistering tennis serve and driving the lane in a basketball game make for some exciting sports moments. But for those athletes who are participating without eye protection, these same thrilling moves can mean eye injuries and permanent vision impairment.

Every 13 minutes an emergency room in the United States treats a sports-related eye injury, says the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Forty percent of all sports eye injuries occur in children between the ages of 11 to 14. Unlike many other reasons for visiting the emergency room, sports related eye injuries are preventable.

To educate parents, coaches, health professionals and athletes about the importance of eye protection, The Coalition to Prevent Sports Eye Injuries (www.sportseyeinjuries.com) was established first in New Jersey, and is now a national movement. Working in partnership with the coalition is Liberty Sport, a company that supplies high-quality protective sports eyewear.

"Parents are often quick to ensure their children are equipped with helmets, knee and elbow pads and even mouth guards. However, many fail to address the needs of eye protection for the same players," says Paul Berman, O.D., F.A.A.O who is the Chairman for The Coalition to Prevent Sports Eye Injuries and spokesperson for Liberty Sport. He says that it is important for parents to make sure that their children wear protective eyewear when participating in sports, including those that have a high-to-moderate risk of eye injury: basketball, baseball, lacrosse, tennis, soccer, volleyball, football, squash, and racquetball.

Eye protection is becoming a normal part of sports gear nationwide. Not only is it cool to wear, it can also ensure young athletes can enjoy sports for years to come.

Boost Your Sports Safety "Eye Q"

To begin the learning process about eye protection, Liberty Sport offers these safety and purchasing tips:

· Prescription glasses, sunglasses and even occupational safety glasses do not provide adequate protection during sports. Protective sports eyewear that meets the strict standards of ASTM F803 is needed. Similarly, wearing a helmet or face guard is not enough to protect the eyes.

· Polycarbonate lenses of safety thickness are the only type of lens recommended as protective sports eyewear.

· Injuries are the leading cause of vision loss in one eye - second in two eyes, says the National Eye Institute (NEI).

· Purchase protective sports eyewear at a reputable retailer or an eyecare professional, such as an optician, optometrist or ophthamologist.

· Choose eye protection that is the right size for the child and provides a comfortable fit.

To learn more about sports safety eyewear and find the options right for your young athlete, visit www.libertysport.com.

CAPTION: All athletes should protect their eyes when engaged in sports play.

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