Behavior Checklist

Sharing a list of the most 'common' at-risk behavior statements parents share with us:

Their Safety is a Genuine Concern:

o  The safety of my child (self-harm) or risk of harm to others is a concern

o  My child has spoken of hurting themselves or others

o  My child is aggressive

o  My child physically postures to me or others

o  My child intimidates me or others

o  My child has bullied others

o  My child has been physical with myself or others

o  My child runs away

o  My child will not go to school/other

o  My child is belligerent

o  My child refuses to stop taking drugs or accept help to do so

o  My child breaks curfew

o  My child does not obey house rules set for their own safety and/or well-being

o  My child is emotionally abusive, has foul language and/or is vocally disrespectful

o  My child refuses to take drug tests, be tested, or has had failed tests

o  My child’s circle of friends exhibit some or all of the same behaviors

o  My child will not account for their time out of the home

o  My child won’t take responsibility for their actions and choices: it’s always someone else’s fault

o  If my child doesn’t get what they want, they lash out: emotionally or physically

o  My child is demanding

o  My child doesn’t appreciate what they have

o  My child does not care for property: their own, or others’

o  My child has damaged their own property, or the property of others

o  My child has low or no self-esteem

o  Decrease in academic performance

Their Relationship is difficult and becoming more so…

o  The choices my child makes, endanger themselves or others

o  When trying to discuss my child’s behavior, they shut down, take off, or escalate emotionally until it’s impossible to discuss anything

o  My child is almost always angry

o  My child lashes out at me or others

o  My emotions are strained to the point that I feel I have nothing left to get by in my day

o  I don’t know what to do with (my teen) most of the time

o  My child yells at me

o  Others in our home are at risk, physically and/or emotionally

o  I cannot speak with my child

o  I cannot reason with my child

o  To get my child to “listen”, they need to be bribed

o  My child holds me emotionally hostage

o  My child is often on a device (phone, gaming, tablet, computer etc.)

o  It’s difficult to take my child’s attention away from their device

o  When limiting device time, my child becomes angry and belligerent

o  I, or others, fear my child

o  I, or others, “walk on eggshells” because we cannot trust my teen's emotions and/or behavior

o  My child does not care when they hurt others

o  My child is manipulative

o  My child has broken the law

(Their) dishonesty is one of the hardest parts of all of this...

o  My child lies to me

o  My child is secretive

o  My child steals

o  I feel I must lie to my child, for their protection or the protection of others

o  My child does not trust me

o  I do not trust my child

o  I can't be straight-out honest with my child, or they will (run away, hurt themselves, hurt others, melt down)

o  My child hides everything from me

o  My child will only admit to lying when they are faced with their lie and there is no way to lie around it

o  I don’t know what’s going on in my child’s life, they won’t talk with me

You might not need our help if:

o  Your child will get in the car with you

o  They won’t become abusive, angry or violent on the journey to their new facility/school

o  They won’t attempt to run away from you or others

o  You can take the time/days off work/from home, to drive them to their new facility/school (this is a common difficulty for so many, more so now than ever)

o  There is no concern about a violent or physical altercation with them

o  You are confident to fly through any airport/border

o  They will be understanding to go to any new facility/school you choose for them

o  They won’t try to plead with you, manipulate you, or change your mind by crying or becoming angry or otherwise emotional

o  You can be fully open and honest with them, trusting their ensuing behavior will not endanger themselves or others

o  They speak respectfully to yourself and others. For example, those in places of authority as you will meet in airports, at toll booths, through security checkpoints, border crossings and more

o  They might struggle to listen at home, but in public they are respectful and follow direction

o  Your emotions are in a good, safe place

o Their emotions are in a good, safe place

o You are comfortable driving long distances and travelling through airports