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Many give warnings before violence
"Why didn't we see it coming?" That question is being asked by teachers, parents and students in the wake of school shootings in Moses Lake; Pomona, Calif.; Edinboro, Pa.; Fayetteville, Tenn.; Jonesboro, Ark.; Paducah, Ky.; Pearl, Miss.; Bethel, Alaska; and Springfield, Ore. "Families aren't nearly as connected as they think they are," said Jeff Sprague, professor for the University of Oregon's special education department. "So when something bad happens, it's like a big surprise, when, in fact, most of the signs have been there a long time." Sprague is co-director of the university's Institute of Violence and Destructive Behavior. He and other experts agree most youths likely to commit violent acts exhibit certain behavioral and emotional signs that can signal trouble. Sprague served on a panel assigned by the U.S. departments of education and justice to develop guidelines to help adults identify and reach out to troubled children. "It's important for people to take the warning signs seriously," Sprague said. "We recommend schools basically screen for troubled kids and try to help them on a regular basis. "What very often happens is schools or parents or whoever won't take any action until the kid's already had one foot in the grave." Merrill Oaks, professor for Washington State University's teaching and learning department, said that scenario played out for Barry Loukaitis, who shot and killed classmates and a teacher three years ago in Moses Lake. "He was getting closer to the dark side all the time," Oaks said. Oaks speculated teachers didn't pick up on the clues, didn't know how to respond to them or dismissed them as part of an adolescent phase that would pass quietly. Such missed signals link most of the recent schoolhouse shootings, experts say. Most kids at some point exhibit at least one early warning sign as part of normal adolescent behavior, Sprague said. But troubled children who are potentially violent usually exhibit more than one warning sign repeatedly and with increasing intensity. Experts say schools and families can help prevent students from hurting themselves or others by recognizing and reacting to these signs. Schools should have prevention and intervention plans in place. Parents' best defense may be to keep an open line of communication with their children. "We recommend that you talk to your son or daughter every day and you start very early," Sprague said. "You ask them how their day went. You ask them what went well and if they had any problems. "Basically, teach your children early on that you're going to engage them on every little corner of their lives. For some parents, it may feel intrusive. But we feel it's important." Parents who notice warning signs but are unable to get their children to talk about their feelings should seek professional help. Good resources include school officials, community counseling centers, religious leaders and relatives who have a positive relationship with the child. "The worst thing a parent can do is back off," Oaks said. It's important to include students in discussions about school safety, experts added. "There's risk everywhere," Sprague said. "And you don't want to make kids afraid. But at the same time, it's OK to talk about it - a lot." |