Warning Signs for Mental Health Issues, Disorders, & Diagnostic Information

This section offers a comprehensive directory of websites that provides up-to-date and accurate information about early detection and warning signs for child and adolescent mental health problems.  The following information is not to be used for diagnosing children and adolescents with mental health disorders. 

Efforts to identify early warning signs for mental health problems in children are important for curbing the onset of mental health issues and remediating existing mental health problems.  Early detection in children is especially critical for making timely and effective intervention decisions.  Screening for mental health issues is equally important as a means of forestalling the onset of a disorder and preventing mental health issues from becoming firmly established as children move into adulthood. 

Feel free to browse other sections such as Child Development and Wellness to find more resources related to your topic of interest.  All of the websites presented here have been selected based primarily on the quality of the information provided.  There are links to policy and program resources centers, and nationally recognized child study centers that will give you the most current findings about childhood disorders like ADHD, depression, and autism. All of the sites listed are sponsored by not-for-profit foundations and government organizations. 

Common Childhood Mental Health Symptoms and Disorders

It is important to recognize that many childhood disorders and conditions can have overlapping symptoms that are expressed differently within the context of the child’s natural environments (e.g., home, school, playground). For example, inattention is one symptom that can be readily seen in children with a number of disorders including anxiety, depression, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Learning Disabilities, and Auditory Processing Disorder.

The following section provides an overview of common childhood disorders and conditions.  The information is not intended to serve as a guide for diagnosing children.  It is critically important that a comprehensive evaluation by trained professionals be conducted to assess children’s symptoms.  See Prevention and Intervention Options for further information on types of evaluations.

Anxiety
Mood Disorders
Speech/Language Problems
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD)
 Learning Disabilities
Asperger’s Disorder
Autism
Mental Retardation

Useful Resources