Children are naturally energetic with limited self-control. However, some children stand out as more active than others. Behaviors that require intervention include hyperactivity, or an inability to focus on activities for an appropriate amount of time, and impulsivity, or a lack of self-control. These children will be almost constantly in motion, have difficulty staying on tasks even when the task is enjoyable, and will take risks other children will not take such as climbing where children should not climb, running into the street or grabbing dangerous items such as knives or scissors. They may also have difficulty getting along with others due to inability to complete games and lack of self-control that often leads to hitting, kicking or name-calling.
Some children are more obstinate than others and many "talk back" to adults at times. However, behaviors that require intervention are those that are significantly different and more oppositional than behaviors displayed by other children. Significantly oppositional children will talk back to adults frequently, refuse to follow directions and may yell at or argue with adults. This does not include attention-deficit type behaviors that make following directions difficult due to lack of concentration, although these behaviors often overlap and may be hard to distinguish.
These behaviors are socially inappropriate and are outside the norm for most children. Disorderly and destructive behaviors include property destruction, which in a kindergarten classroom may present as throwing items off shelves or desks, cutting up papers or purposefully breaking things that belong to the child or someone else. Children who exhibit these behaviors may also may steal from children in the classroom, teachers, parents or businesses. These behaviors can include aggression that is explosive or violent, including aggression toward animals. These children may lie frequently. Destructive behaviors also include self-harm such when a child hits or cuts himself. These behaviors also include sexually inappropriate behaviors such as sexual touching or sexualized talk. Most other children will likely not want to interact with this child due to his extreme behavior.
Any behavior that seems unusual can be referred for assessment. Referral and assessment do not automatically indicate that behaviors will require professional intervention, but do indicate that there is a possible diagnosis. A psychologist typically conducts the assessment, if the assessment is conducted through the school system. She will make a diagnosis, if one is present, and make any further recommendations to address the socially inappropriate behaviors. Assessments may also be conducted outside of the school system at the parents' expense.