Do Homeless NYC Students Have Behavioral Problems?

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Homelessness is a profoundly stressful and traumatic experience and, therefore, it should be no surprise that New York City students experiencing homelessness may act out in school, at home or elsewhere. This blog post will examine why many homeless NYC students have behavioral problems, how they may manifest and some resources for those seeking help. 

What Are Behavioral Problems?

Childhood and adolescence can be tumultuous periods of change in a person’s life. As such, he or she may sometimes argue, be aggressive or act angry or defiant around adults and peers. However, when these and other disruptive behaviors are uncommon for the child’s age, persist over time or are severe, they may have a behavioral problem that will require treatment. [1] Behavioral disorders may be hereditary, acquired or a combination of both. They may be expressed in the following ways:

• Impulsivity 
• Inability to focus
• Poor time management
• Mood swings and irritability
• Quick tempers, i.e. frequent outsized outbursts and violent words or actions
• Continually violating major rules or norms, including:
• Skipping school
• Breaking curfew
• Bullying 
• Lying, stealing or intentionally damaging others’ property
• Resistance to authority figures
• Obsessive compulsive disorder, and 
• Chronic anxiety 

How Do Homeless NYC Students Develop Behavioral Problems?

It’s important to stress that children with behavioral problems, homeless or otherwise, are not inherently “bad kids.” Rather, they are inexperienced individuals who lack the necessary skills to navigate situations beyond their control. In addition to heredity, a whole host of factors among the children and/or their family groups, may cause or contribute to behavioral disorders, including, but not limited to: 

• Physical illness or disability
• Malnutrition 
• Brain damage 
• Poor attitude toward education
• Exposure to violence, substance use and other destructive behaviors
• Chronic stress 
• Trauma in one form or another

How Common Are Behavioral Disorders Among Homeless NYC Students? 

The exact rate of behavioral disorders among homeless children and youths can never be fully ascertained, because not everyone will exhibit obvious signs. But it is estimated that homeless children are four times more likely to have disruptive behaviors than their stably housed peers. [2] Very likely, there are tens of thousands of homeless New York City students with one or more behavioral disorders.

What Are The Effects of Behavioral Disorders in Homeless Children and Youths?

In the short-term, students with behavioral problems may: 

• Face suspension or expulsion from school for fighting, bullying or arguing with authority figures 
• Have to switch schools 
• Drop out of or fail to graduate from high school

If left untreated, behavioral problems can have the following long-term effects:

• Strained romantic, familial and professional relationships and friendships
• Greater likelihood to self-harm
• Substance use
• Mental illness
• Incarceration 
• Experiencing homelessness as an adult 

How Do You Treat Homeless Children With Behavioral Disorders?

Early intervention is key to achieving the best results. Behavioral therapy is most effective when it’s been personally tailored to address the individual child’s needs. Clinicians will teach patients skills and coping strategies to lead happier, healthier lives through mindfulness, effective interpersonal communication, emotional regulation and distress tolerance. 

Homeless children and youths needn’t be permanently defined by their behavioral disorders, but they can’t forge new pathways by themselves. The city offers many free and low-cost mental health services for young people. Call 311 or go to this directory to learn more. 

Contact Mentor A Promise Today 

Our organization recognizes the immense potential within each individual and seeks to provide them with the educational resources and opportunities they need to thrive. To that end, we have built a strong network of family shelters, educational institutions and community organizations to support homeless children, youths and their families. Click these links to learn more about what we offer or to get involved. Together, we can break the cycle of homelessness.