Behavior Bit - Emotional Neglect

I didn't choose this topic because we need to suddenly report emotional neglect/abuse to the hotline, but it is something to keep in mind when dealing children with less-than-stellar social skills/behaviors. If we work hard to fill the bucket of defiant, bossy, bullying, aggressive, withdrawn students, that alone can make a huge impact in not only their frustrating and distracting  behavior, but can also impact them positively in academics and ultimately change the course of their life as it improves feelings of self esteem and worth.  

Symptoms of emotional abuse/neglect:

* difficulty in forming relationships

* inability to relate and bond to other children

* lack of self confidence and emotion

* extreme shyness

* being victimized and exploited by other children

* fatigue and listlessness

* helplessness and hopelessness

* feelings of inadequacy

* pessimism and preoccupation

* difficulty concentrating on school activities

* self denial

* inability to engage and enjoy pleasurable activities

* self injury--hair pulling and twisting, nail biting, accident proneness

* self-deprecating remarks, such as "stupid," "no good," etc.

The following is a list of behavioral indicators of a child who responds to the emotional abuse in aggressive ways:

* bullying and hostile to others

* intimidating and threatening

* bullying and defiant

* ridiculing to others

* cruelty to other children and animals

* destruction of property and fire setting

* repeated truancy or tardiness

* reluctance to go home

* constant attention seeking and hyperactive behavior

In all instances, whether the child responds to the emotional abuse, passively or aggressively, the child's grades and achievement are far below the child's academic ability.