Pain in young children is often under-recognized due to their developing communication skills. For children under five, expressing discomfort verbally can be challenging, making it hard for caregivers to identify pain accurately. In infants, crying can indicate various needs—such as hunger or discomfort—rather than solely pain, leading to ambiguity in interpretation.
For non-verbal children, including those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), pain might manifest through behaviors like irritability, aggression, self-injurious actions, or tantrums. These behaviors can be difficult to distinguish from typical reactions to frustration or distress, complicating the recognition of pain. As a result, caregivers and healthcare providers may overlook or misinterpret these signs, contributing to inadequate pain management in young children.
