Primary School Presentations course for Medical Doctors

This session gives an overview of common emotional and behavioural presentations in children in primary school (5 to 11 years old). It offers guidelines to assess and address parental concerns. We discuss symptoms that suggest there may be important underlying problems (‘alarm bells’) and provide guidance for when you identify these problems.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe issues arising when a child starts school or transfers to secondary school
• Describe common presentations in primary age children, recognise variations in normal development and distinguish these from developmental disorders
• Identify problems that interfere with a child’s functioning and progress, especially ‘red flag’ issues
• Assess likely causes, gather information to address parental concerns and provide advice at an early stage

This session uses self assessments that help you check what you have learnt. You do not have to use them and your answers are not seen by anyone else.