Why trying to solve every obstacle for children might actually hold them back

Clinical neuropsychologist Katie S. Davis warns in an interview with CNN against over-diagnosing children and the pursuit of the 'perfect child'. According to her, not every difficulty is a disorder and not every behavior requires treatment, and sometimes the attempt to fix everything can harm a child's self-confidence and development.

Clinical neuropsychologist and child development expert Katie S. Davis warns in an interview with CNN against the tendency to over-diagnose children and try to fix every difficulty. According to her, in recent decades there has been a significant increase in the number of children diagnosed with learning disabilities, ADHD, and autism, partly due to greater awareness, but also due to the expansion of the boundary between normal behavior and disorder. Davis emphasizes that diagnoses are essential for children who need them, but when they expand too much, resources are spread among too many children. She warns that attaching a diagnostic label to a child who does not need it can harm their self-confidence and self-perception. Davis calls on parents to allow children to face the natural consequences of their actions, and not to rush to solve every problem. The central message: not every difficulty is a disorder, not every behavior requires treatment, and sometimes it is better to let children simply be children.