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Antisocial Behaviour
What is childhood antisocial behaviour?
1.Common antisocial behaviour symptoms include aggression, hostility, and defiance.
2.It’s important for parents to work with their child’s school and physician to treat antisocial behaviour.
3.In some cases, antisocial behavior can be identified by age 3.
It’s normal for children to exhibit positive and negative social behaviours as they age and develop. Some kids lie, some rebel, some withdraw.
But some children exhibit high levels of antisocial behaviours. They are hostile and disobedient. They may steal and destroy property. They might be verbally and physically abusive.
This type of conduct often means your child is showing signs of antisocial behaviour. Antisocial behaviour is manageable, but can lead to more severe problems in adulthood if left untreated.
Risk factors for antisocial behaviour in children
•school and neighbourhood environment
•genetics and family history
•poor and negative parenting practices
•violent, unstable, or tumultuous home life
Hyperactivity and neurological problems can also cause antisocial behavior. Youth with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been found to be at a higher risk of developing antisocial behaviour.
Symptoms of antisocial behaviour in children
Antisocial behaviour can occasionally be identified in kids as young as 3 or 4 years old, and can lead to something more severe if not treated before age 9, or third grade.
The symptoms your child might exhibit include:
•abusive and harmful to animals and people
•lying and stealing
•rebellion and violating rules
•vandalism and other property destruction
•chronic delinquency
Research shows that childhood antisocial behaviour is associated with a higher rate of alcohol and drug abuse in adolescence. This is because of shared genetic and environmental influences.
Antisocial personality behaviour in children
Severe forms of antisocial behaviour can lead to conduct disorder, or an oppositional defiant disorder diagnosis. Antisocial children may also drop out of school and have trouble maintaining a job and healthy relationships.
The behaviour could also lead to antisocial personality disorder in adulthood. Adults living with antisocial personality disorder often display antisocial behavior and other conduct disorder symptoms before age 15.
Some signs of antisocial personality disorder include:
•lack of conscience and empathy
•disregard and abuse of authority and people’s rights
•aggression and violent tendencies
•arrogance
•using charm to manipulate
•lack of remorse