Behavioral Checklist for Children
Your child may at times act in a manner that you find to be unusual or even disturbing.  A child’s behavior can change during stressful times or in times of transition.  Divorce, marital conflicts, death of a friend, family member or pet, separation from a loved one or the birth of a new baby are some of the changes in the life of a child that could trigger a shift in your child’s behavior or personality.  In other circumstances, you may notice that your child has been acting out in a negative manner for a period of time and is unable to manage his/her self appropriately.

If you believe that your child may be suffering from something more serious than a temporary reaction to a life stressor, your child and family may benefit from individual or family counseling in order to identify, and then address and resolve any issues that are problematic.  In-home behavioral interventions will  help the child to return to more positive and acceptable behaviors.

The following behaviors may occur at home and/or at school and may warrant an in-home behavioral health assessment and intervention:

Temper tantrums:  
If child is over the age of four and tantrums are occurring more than once a day, there may be a problem.  A child may frequently throw temper tantrums that are unwarranted.  Many times, it takes a very long time for your child to calm down or “let go” of his/her anger.  Your child may be acting out due to other problems that are occurring within the home/or academic environment.
  
Anger problems:
Throwing things at other people, destroying toys or household items, punching holes in walls, kicking or hitting family members, yelling, screaming, antagonizing and/or cursing at family members or peers.

Repeated refusal to follow household rules and parental requests:
Refusing to clean his/her room, or to complete household tasks despite numerous requests.  Your child may be experiencing problems with attention, and may not be able to focus on the tasks at hand.   

Serious school problems:
A teacher may indicate that there is a problem with your child’s compliance at school as demonstrated by frequent detentions, suspensions and/or expulsion from school.     

Refusal/Resistance to attend school on a consistent basis:
There is a reason why your child is refusing to attend school.  It could be peer-related issues, self-esteem, fear of failure, academic problems or problems with a particular teacher.

Fire setting and/or cruelty towards animals:
If your child is demonstrating a fascination with fire that is persistent and bothersome you, or has attempted to set a fire, small or large, your child may need help working through some issues. Cruelty to the family pet or other outside animals is a possible indicator of an underlying problem with your child. 

Runaway behavior: 
Your child may threaten to or leave the home environment without your permission for long periods of time.  Frequent runaway behavior typically involves contacting family members, friends and the police for help locating your child.  If this is occurring for your family, there may be some underlying concerns that your child needs to express so they do not continue to “run away” from their problems.

Police and/or court involvement:
Children who become involved with the police or who show little regard for the law, or may act as though  they are “above the law”, may be experiencing an underlying problem requiring counseling.  It may be necessary for the child to talk with a professional to discuss his/her feelings, and to help them feel understood.

Inappropriate sexual behavior:  
Inappropriate touching of friends and/or family members; frequent discussion of sexualized behaviors or engaging or attempting to engage in sex, exposure to pornographic material are all indicators of any underlying issue that needs to be addressed.

Anxiety/or depression: 
Isolating from family and/or friends, too much or too little sleep, changes in appetite or lack of interest in regular activities may indicate that your child is depressed, or anxious.  Consult first with the  pediatrician to rule out any physical condition, then it may be that your child needs counseling to identify underlying issues and work to resolve them.

 If you believe that your child may in any way benefit from counseling, please contact Child Behavioral Health Services at 1-877-652-7624 and ask that a Families Matter clinical provider conduct an In-home Behavioral Health Assessment and make recommendations for care.