Identifying Students `At-Risk` for Violent Behavior: A Checklist of `Early Warning Signs`

Reprinted from A Practical Guide for Crisis Response in Our Schools

The following checklist of "early warning signs" will facilitate identification of students who may be in need of intervention. The greater the number of items that are checked, the greater the potential for violent acting-out behavior. For help, turn to individuals who regularly work with at-risk children and adolescents ‹professionals in the fields of education, law enforcement, social services, medicine, mental heath, etc.) Children and adolescents at-risk may: express self-destructive or homicidal ideation express feelings of hopelessness have a history of self-destructive behavior give away possessions articulate specific plans to harm self and/or others appear withdrawn engage in ³bullying² other children evidence significant changes in mood have difficulty with impulse control experience sleep and eating disturbances evidence significant changes in behavior have experienced prior trauma/tragedy engage in substance abuse have been/are victims of child abuse become involved with gangs have experienced a significant loss evidence a preoccupation with fighting evidence a preoccupation with television have a history of antisocial behavior programs/movies with violent themes evidence a low tolerance for frustration evidence a preoccupation with games with violent themes externalize blame for their difficulties evidence a preoccupation with guns and other weapons have harmed small animals have access to a firearm have engaged in fire setting have brought a weapon to school evidence persistent bed wetting evidence frequent disciplinary problems appear/acknowledge feeling depressed exhibit poor academic performance talk about not being around have been frequently truant from school Return to The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress Homepage