Social/Emotional Referral Indicators

When might a child benefit from extra social or emotional support?

Just like adults, children can benefit from having an extra safe, supportive person to connect with. Below are some signs that a child may especially benefit from relationship-based, play-based emotional support:

Big life changes, such as:

• • Moving to a new home or school
  • Death or serious illness of a family member
  • A new sibling or other big family adjustment
  • Divorce or family separation

Experiencing a stressful or traumatic event  both “big T” events (major/acute) and “little t” events (ongoing stress or smaller but impactful experiences)

Changes in connection with family

• • A child seems distant, shut down or irritable with family
  • Family members feel unsure how to connect or “reach” the child

Difficulty in school

• • Social struggles with peers
  • Academic stress that seems tied to emotions, motivation or confidence

Frequent emotional dysregulation

• • Intense reactions that feel “bigger” than the situation
  • Trouble calming after getting upset

Very rigid thinking

• • Difficulty with flexibility, changes in routine, or “grey areas”

Social skill or confidence challenges

• • Trouble joining play, making or keeping friends, or advocating for needs
  • Low self-confidence or frequent negative self-talk

Limited play skills or imagination in play

• • Repetitive play with little variation
  • Difficulty using play to explore ideas, feelings or stories