Stress and anxiety disorders: a special educational need not to be ignored As reported by the BBC last week, the Charity Childline have seen an increase in the number of young people seeking help to cope with the stress of exams in the past year, with one 15 year old noting that he studies all night due to the fear of failing, leaving him feeling “tired all the time” and “not really eating properly”. Stress affects everyone, and is a completely normal reaction experienced when faced with pressured situations. It can manifest itself in many different ways, physical, psychological and behavioural. Anxiety may also be experienced as a result of stress, for example, feeling worried and anxious about sitting an exam. During such a situation feeling anxious can be perfectly normal, however, some find it difficult to control such worries, resulting in anxiety becoming a more dominant part of daily life. If you think your child may be experiencing more persistent feelings of stress and anxiety, they may be suffering from an anxiety disorder, a long-term condition and special educational need. According to the NHS, common occurring behaviours include: feeling restless or worried, concentration difficulties and sleep difficulties. If you feel your child is suffering with stress and anxiety in a more dominant way to their peers, they may have a special educational need not being catered for at school. If this is the case Sinclairslaw can assist you in obtaining a diagnosis for your child, as well as a full needs assessment, essential steps required to ensure your child secures the right provision to safeguard their future. If you have any questions regarding the above mentioned steps, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our Education team. It is essential to spot children with a special educational need at an early stage to ensure they receive the correct support they need to flourish in life.