The criteria and behaviors provided on this page may indicate there is a problem that requires intervention.

Infants (0-12 Months)

• Does not notice when touched or when things are going on nearby
• Jumpy or jittery, over-reacting to noise, touches or light
• Lack of harmony between parent and child
• Never smiles, cries or responds to caregiver
• Too much fussing or crying, inability to be soothed or comforted

Toddlers (1-3 Years)

• Delays of at least 6 months in walking, talking, social or other behavior
• Aggressive behavior directed at other people or things
• Delayed language
• Hand waving or hand-clapping that does not stop
• Lack of play activity or imitation of parents
• Overly dependent or overly obedient
• Persistent unhappiness or crying
• Self-destructive behavior such as biting or head banging
• Unable to become connected to people who take care of the child
• Uncontrollable anger

Preschoolers & Kindergartners (4-6 Years)

• Aggressive behavior
• Anxious or fearful, depressed mood, total lack of interest in or withdrawing from other people
• Daytime toileting problems
• Lack of confidence, which keeps the child from having fun
• Not interested in or unable to play with other children
• Persistent constipation or diarrhea
• Persistent eating or sleeping problems
• Refusal to comply with rules and expectations
• Unable to control his/her own behaviors
• Unable to separate from parents
• Unable to verbally express wants and needs

School-Age Children (7-12 Years)

• Acting out sexual behaviors that are inappropriate for the child's age
• Aggressive or hurtful behavior
• Constant refusal to comply with rules at home or at school
• Continued resistance to attending school
• Depressed mood, loss of interest in activities and relationships
• Easily distracted or unable to pay attention
• Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, suicidal talk to action
• Headaches or stomach aches that keep occurring but don't seem to have a cause
• Inability to develop values, morals, relationships or educational goals
• Lying, stealing, fire-starting, cruelty to animals
• Poor school work, including being very behind in reading or math
• School work or attendance that is going downhill
• Sexual or physical aggression
• Trouble sleeping or difficulty with eating
• Truancy, chemical abuse, running away

Adolescents (13-19 Years)

• Anxious, nervous
• Change in dress, mood
• Chronic resistance to complying with rules at home, school or in the community
• Conflicts around personal identity, such as values, morality, relationships, sexuality, vocational or educational goals
• Declining school performance or attendance
• Depressed mood, loss of interest in activities and relationships, isolated, lack or friends
• Difficult concentrating, remembering or making decisions
• Dramatic personality changes
• Eating disorder, unusual eating patterns
• Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, suicidal talk or action, giving away possessions
• Lack of remorse
• Lying, stealing, fire-starting, cruelty to animals
• Sexual intrusiveness or promiscuity
• Sexual or physical aggression towards others
• Trouble sleeping or difficult with eating
• Truancy, chemical abuse, running away