Page 7 - Resource-PartB_v3

Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health

How a child or young person expresses how they are feeling
through their behaviour

Some conditions experienced by children and young people can mean that they are
less able or willing to tolerate what they perceive to be frustrating situations.

Tolerance is a word used in a wide range of contexts, but in this case can be defined
as below:

D Definition: Tolerance

‘The quality of allowing other people to say and do as they like,
even if you do not agree or approve of it.’

Source: www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/tolerance

Being tolerant also implies having patience whilst others express their views or take
their turn.

Key Fact

In a democracy, people show tolerance and respect for opinions that
differ from their own and rely on rational discussion, debate and
evidence to win arguments over decision making.

If a child has symptoms of impulsivity, for example, as a result of ADHD, they may
have difficulty waiting for their turn in games or a queue and may frequently
interrupt people in conversations.

Children and young people with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) who may have
limitations and/or difficulties with verbal and non-verbal communications may also be
less tolerant, and more easily irritated and frustrated when trying to make their feelings
understood. Others with good speech and language skills but difficulties with conversations
and social interactions may feel impatient or frustrated for different reasons.

Children go through distinct periods of development as they grow, and these are associated
with certain types of behaviours. All behaviours are a form of communication, and all
infants and young children will display some emotional and behavioural mdisturbances
at some point, but it is only if these become persistent and frequent that they become a
source of concern.

If behaviours are out of the ordinary, last several months and are much more serious than
rebelliousness and childish mischief, this may be referred to as conduct disorder. Children
behaving like this may find it difficult to make friends and may not do well at school.

5