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Seek GP advice promptly if eating has become increasingly restricted, there is distress about weight or body shape, compensatory behaviour, secretive eating, rapid change, dizziness, fainting, weakness or a racing heart. Do not wait for someone to look underweight before asking for help.

Sensory differences, fear of consequences such as choking, and low interest in food can contribute to restrictive eating, including ARFID. A GP or specialist eating-disorder service should assess nutritional and physical risk; this cannot be decided safely from an online checklist.

Contact your GP as soon as possible. Beat supports people of all ages and families affected by eating disorders. Call 0808 801 0677 in England or use its webchat and online resources.

Speak to a GP when sleep problems are persistent, significantly affect daily functioning, or occur alongside snoring or breathing pauses, pain, unusual night-time behaviour, severe daytime sleepiness, medication concerns or deteriorating mental health.

A short sleep record can help a professional understand the pattern. Note approximate sleep and wake times, night waking, daytime sleep, medication and the impact on the person and family. Avoid changing prescribed medication without speaking to the prescriber.

The Sleep Charity’s National Sleep Helpline supports adults, young people and parents of children aged 12 months and over. Call 03303 530 541 during its published opening hours.

Respond without punishment or judgement, check whether medical attention is needed and ask whether they feel safe now. Contact their GP even when injuries seem minor, as support is needed for both the injuries and what is driving the behaviour.

Call 999 or go to A&E if there is serious injury, an overdose, immediate danger, suicidal intent or you cannot keep the person safe. For urgent mental health help, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.

Call Samaritans free on 116 123, text SHOUT to 85258, or—if under 19—call Childline on 0800 1111. These services do not replace 999 in an immediate emergency.

Prioritise immediate safety, reduce demands and stimulation, use brief calm language and give space where safe. Avoid trying to reason through the cause at the height of distress. If violence is used or threatened and anyone is in immediate danger, call 999.

Seek professional help when incidents are frequent, escalating, causing injury or damage, limiting family or school life, or represent a marked change. A fuller assessment can consider mental and physical health, communication, sensory needs, trauma, environment and neurodevelopment.

YoungMinds’ Parents Helpline offers mental health advice on 0808 802 5544. Coram Family Lives offers parenting and family support on 0808 800 2222. Neither is an emergency service.

Ask for support when distress persists, worsens or interferes with sleep, eating, education, work, relationships or daily activities. A GP can consider physical and mental health factors and advise on NHS support.

Keep the door open without demanding disclosure. Acknowledge what you have noticed, offer choices about who they might speak to and revisit the conversation calmly. You can still seek professional advice as a parent or carer.

Samaritans is available on 116 123. Shout provides free UK text support by texting SHOUT to 85258. Children and young people under 19 can call Childline on 0800 1111.

Not necessarily. Anxiety, bullying, sensory load, learning or communication needs, masking, trauma, unmet SEND needs and health difficulties can all contribute. Understanding the pattern and barriers is more useful than relying on a label alone.

Share concerns with the school’s SENCO or pastoral lead and your GP where health or mental health is affected. Ask for a coordinated discussion about need, reasonable adjustments, safety and a realistic plan.

An assessment may be useful when needs are unclear, difficulties occur across settings or existing support is not working. The right assessment depends on the question—not every child needs a diagnosis.