In most cases, parents lovetheir children unconditionally.
But what happens if your child grows up to become a sociopath?
Well, Stephen Scott, a professor of child health and behaviour at the Institute of Psychiatry, believes that identifying children with psychopathic tendencies could make a huge difference to their lives.
And intervening early could also help to alter their impact on society for the better.
Speaking with theMail Online, Professor Scott explains that the characteristics of adult sociopaths can be identified in childhood.
Here are the 12 warning signs that he advises parents to watch out for:
-
Your child often hurts, bullies or fights others
-
Your child is prone to stealing or vandalising
-
Your child breaks major rules, such as running away from home or staying out late.
-
Your child shows no guilt when they are told off for doing wrong
-
Your child shows a “persistent callous disregard for other people’s feelings — not just siblings (e.g., pushing another child off a swing and being unmoved by their distress).”
-
Your child doesn’t care about how well they do in school
-
Your child seems cold and unfeeling, showing emotions only to intimidate or manipulate
-
Your child blames others for their mistakes
-
Your child is fearless and loves dangerous activities
-
Your child isn’t bothered by the threat of punishment
-
Your child is highly motivated by reward or what they’ll get out of something, even if it hurts others
-
Your child intentionally hurts animals
If you fear that your child displays sociopathic tendencies, there is a way to help them.
The Tender Loving Care (TLC) Project, based in South London, offers two weekly sessions with children who show sociopathic traits.
They also offer six sessions with parents (free of charge), to help you better understand your child and monitor their behaviour.
** For information on the TLC Project, call 0207 848 5836 or email tlc@kcl.ac.uk**