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Behaviour change

Facts

Many children will show a change in behaviour at times associated with changes in home/school circumstances, adolescent development and ill health.
Most changes in behaviour will not be caused by brain tumour.
Most changes in behaviour will not be persistent (i.e. occur on most days over a period of time) or pervasive (i.e. occurring in multiple environments e.g. home/school/holiday).
Most children with a change in behaviour associated with a brain tumour will have other symptoms/signs - these should be looked for carefully.

Behaviour changes caused by a brain tumour:

Are expected to occur persistently – routinely over days or weeks
Are expected to occur pervasively – across all settings, such as at home, at school, at play, on outings or visits away. Any child with a persistent behaviour change, particularly lethargy, should be seen by a doctor.

The most common change in behaviour caused by brain tumours in this age group is lethargy (severe tiredness and reduced energy levels). Signs of lethargy include:

Reduction in activity levels, and spending more time resting
Lack of enthusiasm or desire to participate in activities that they had previously enjoyed, across a variety of activities and in different environments
Becoming tired or fatigued more readily or quickly than they used to
Falling behind or progressing more slowly at nursery

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Behaviour change

Facts

Many children will show a change in behaviour at times associated with changes in home/school circumstances, adolescent development and ill health.

Most changes in behaviour will not be caused by brain tumour.

Most changes in behaviour will not be persistent (i.e. occur on most days over a period of time) or pervasive (i.e. occurring in multiple environments e.g. home/school/holiday).

Most children with a change in behaviour associated with a brain tumour will have other symptoms/signs - these should be looked for carefully.

Behaviour changes caused by a brain tumour:

Are expected to occur persistently – routinely over days or weeks

Are expected to occur pervasively – across all settings, such as at home, at school, at play, on outings or visits away. Any child with a persistent behaviour change, particularly lethargy, should be seen by a doctor.

Reduction in activity levels, and spending more time resting

Lack of enthusiasm or desire to participate in activities that they had previously enjoyed, across a variety of activities and in different environments

Becoming tired or fatigued more readily or quickly than they used to

Falling behind or progressing more slowly at nursery

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