Rachel Collins

As a practicing professional counselor working with children and adolescents, it has become evident that there are many children who slip through the cracks of the educational system.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual fifth edition was released; however non-suicidal self-injury disorder remains in the research category. Looking through the research on this topic, there is a variety of views about treatment and classification not to mention even the name of the behavior has many different forms from self-injury to self-mutilation.

Adolescents and experimentation with drugs and alcohol is now a common reason for referral for therapeutic services. Most seem to admit that substance use is a form of self-medication for other presenting problems, such as anger and depression.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Children with special needs such as Down Syndrome are often misunderstood but are in need of counseling services for a variety of reasons including learning emotional regulation and age appropriate social skills. With or without Down Syndrome every child like every person is unique.

Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and now Binge Eating Disorder have become common terms with the mental health field. However, what about other lesser known eating disorders such as Food Emotional Avoidance Disorder, Selective Eating and Functional Dysphagia. These are often considered childhood eating disorders but are not yet classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.