The following early warning signs are presented with the following qualifications. They are not equally significant and they are not presented in order of seriousness. The early warning signs include:

  • Social withdrawal. In some situations, gradual and, eventually, complete withdrawal from social contacts can be an important indicator of a troubled child. The withdrawal often stems from feelings of depression, rejection, persecution, unworthiness and lack of confidence.
  • Excessive feelings of isolation and being alone. Research has shown that the majority of children who are isolated and appear to be friendless are not violent. In fact, these feelings are sometimes characteristic of children and youth who may be troubled, withdrawn, or have internal issues that hinder development of social affiliations. However, research also has shown that, in some cases, feelings of isolation and not having friends are associated with children who behave aggressively and violently.
  • Excessive feelings of rejection. In the process of growing up and in the course of adolescent development, many young people experience emotionally painful rejection. Children who are troubled often are isolated from their mentally healthy peers. Their responses to rejection will depend on many background factors. Without support, they may be at risk of expressing their emotional distress in negative ways, including violence. Some aggressive children who are rejected by non-aggressive peers seek out aggressive friends who, in turn, reinforce their violent tendencies.
  • Being a victim of violence. Children who are victims of violence, including physical or sexual abuse, in the community, at school or at home are sometimes at risk themselves of becoming violent toward themselves or others.
  • Feelings of being picked on and persecuted. The youth who feels constantly picked on, teased, bullied, singled out for ridicule and humiliated at home or at school may initially withdraw socially. If not given adequate support in addressing these feelings, some children may vent them in inappropriate ways, including possible aggression or violence.
  • Low school interest and poor academic performance. Poor school achievement can be the result of many factors. It is important to consider whether there is a drastic change in performance and/or poor performance becomes a chronic condition that limits the child’s capacity to learn. In some situations, such as when the low achiever feels frustrated, unworthy, chastised and denigrated, acting out and aggressive behaviors may occur. It is important to assess the emotional and cognitive reasons for the academic performance change to determine the true nature of the problem.
  • Expression of violence in writings and drawings. Children and youth often express their thoughts, feelings, desires and intentions in their drawings and in stories, poetry and other written expressive forms. Many children produce work about violent themes that, for the most part, are harmless when taken in context. However, an overrepresentation of violence in writings and drawings that is directed at specific individuals (family members, peers and other adults) consistently over time, may signal emotional problems and the potential for violence. Because there is a real danger in misdiagnosing such a sign, it is important to seek the guidance of a qualified professional such as a school psychologist, counselor or other mental health specialist to determine its meaning.
  • Uncontrolled anger. Every-one gets angry; anger is a natural emotion. However, anger that is expressed frequently and intensely in response to minor irritants may signal potential violent behavior toward self or others.
  • Patterns of impulsive and chronic hitting, intimidating and bullying behaviors. Children often engage in acts of shoving and mild aggression. However, some mildly aggressive behaviors, such as constant hitting and bullying of others, that occur early in children’s lives, if left unattended, might later escalate into more serious behaviors.
  • History of discipline problems. Chronic behavior and disciplinary problems both in school and at home may suggest that underlying emotional needs are not being met. These unmet needs may be manifested in acting out and aggressive behaviors. These problems may set the stage for the child to violate norms and rules, defy authority, disengage from school and engage in aggressive behaviors with other children and adults.
  • Past history of violent and aggressive behavior. Unless provided with support and counseling, a youth who has a history of aggressive or violent behavior is likely to repeat those behaviors. Aggressive and violent acts may be directed toward other individuals, be expressed in cruelty to animals or include fire-setting. Youth who show an early pattern of antisocial behavior frequently and across multiple settings are particularly at risk for future aggressive and antisocial behavior.
  • Similarly, youth who engage in overt behaviors such as bullying, generalized aggression and defiance and covert behaviors such as stealing, vandalism, lying, cheating and fire-setting also are at risk for more serious aggressive behavior. Research suggests that age of onset may be a key factor in interpreting early warning signs. For example, children who engage in aggression and drug abuse at an early age (before age 12) are more likely to show violence later on than are children who begin such behavior at an older age. In the presence of such signs, it is important to review the child’s history with behavioral experts and seek parents’ observations and insights.
  • Intolerance for differences and prejudicial attitudes. All children have likes and dislikes. However, an intense prejudice toward others based on racial, ethnic, religious, language, gender, sexual orientation, ability and physical appearance, when coupled with other factors, may lead to violent assaults against those who are perceived to be different. Membership in hate groups or the willingness to victimize individuals with disabilities or health problems also should be treated as early warning signs.
  • Drug use and alcohol use. Apart from being unhealthy behaviors, drug use and alcohol use reduce self-control and expose children and youth to violence, either as perpetrators, as victims or both.
  • Affiliation with gangs. Gangs that support anti-social values and behaviors, including extortion, intimidation and acts of violence toward other students, cause fear and stress among other students. Youth who are influenced by these groups, those who emulate and copy their behavior, as well as those who become affiliated with them, may adopt these values and act in violent or aggressive ways in certain situations. Gang-related violence and turf battles are common occurrences tied to the use of drugs that often result in injury and/or death.
  • Inappropriate access to, possession of and use of firearms. Children and youths who inappropriately possess or have access to firearms can have an increased risk for violence. Research shows that such youngsters also have a higher probability of becoming victims. Families can reduce inappropriate access and use by restricting, monitoring and supervising children’s access to firearms and other weapons. Children who have a history of aggression, impulsiveness or other emotional problems should not have access to firearms and other weapons.
  • Serious threats of violence. Idle threats are a common response to frustration. Alterna-tively, one of the most reliable indicators that a youth is likely to commit a dangerous act toward self or others is a detailed and specific threat to use violence. Recent incidents across the country clearly indicate that threats to commit violence against oneself or others should be taken very seriously. Steps must be taken to understand the nature of these threats and to prevent them from being carried out.

The Los Lunas Schools has made significant progress in all categories of student disciplinary issues and school bus disciplinary issues over the last several years. We are pleased with this progress and continue to make it a high priority. We have also had great success with the Renaissance Program that has helped with academic, attendance and behavior improvement. During our celebration of Safe School Day, we invite the public to help us be proactive in setting a good example for our young people and to reinforce the values, ethics, morals and manners that we want all children to exhibit. Together we can continue to provide families with one of the safest places for a child to be: at school.

Second of a two-part series

(Editor’s note: Los Lunas Schools Superintendent Danny Burnett wrote this two-part column in light of the anniversary of the Columbine school massacres.)

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Danny Burnett