Thanks to our friends at the National Association of School Psychologists for posting this article on their Facebook page in the wake of the Jovan Belcher tragedy. 

By Tammy D. Barry, PhD, Texas A&M University; & John E. Lochman, PhD, The University of Alabama
Childhood aggression is an important focus for educators and parents owing to its relative stability over time and consistent link to a variety of negative outcomes later in adolescence, including delinquency, substance use, conduct problems, poor adjustment, and academic difficulties (poor grades, suspension, expulsion, and dropping out of school). In addition, verbal and physical aggression often are the first signs, as well as later defining symptoms, of several childhood psychiatric disorders. These include Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder, both of which have prevalence rates ranging from 6 to 10% in the general population and even higher among males, according to the American Psychiatric Association. This further highlights the need to recognize and treat aggressive behaviors early.
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