21 Ways to Check Behavioural Changes in Children and Youths

The Check-Up From From The Neck-up

By Dr. James Komolafe, FPL

Behavioral health deviations are increasingly prevalent among children and youth in many families today. Parents, guardians and caregivers are grappling with emotional distress and psychological strain due to the disruptive behavioral patterns demonstrated by the younger generation. These deviations refer to significant shifts away from healthy emotional, cognitive, and behavioral norms— often progressing into addictions and maladaptive coping strategies. Left unchecked, they alter the individual’s inner balance, derailing their ability to function in a healthy, socially constructive manner. The Generation Z today is a mixed bag of the good, the bad and the ugly trend. 

What Every Stakeholder Should Know

In behavioral health, one truth remains constant: whatever you tolerate eventually accumulates. Thus, the internal realities of many of our youths and the adolescents are nothing to write home about. Behavioral deviation is rarely spontaneous—it develops over time. It travels the lane of bad habits to the avenue of behavioral deviation to the ultimate destination of addiction. This is the origin of drug addiction and substance abuse. This scenario underlines the need for the knowledge and integration of a regular, intentional behavioral checks; a “check up from the neck up” by parents, caregivers, guardians and every stakeholder in the raise of a leadership generation. 

Monthly behavioral checks and reviews are essential for early detection and prompt intervention as conducted by SABA Resources strategy. 

Here are ten critical variables every parent or stakeholder should know in running the behavioral checks.

Core Indicators for Behavioral Checks Assessment

 1. Rate of Violation –

Tracks the degree of deviation from expected behavioral norms and the individual’s susceptibility to distraction and behavioral drift.

 2. Degree of Vulnerability –

Assesses the extent to which a young person has become immersed in behavioral violations and their internal struggle to regain balance.

 3. Behavioral Profit and Loss Energy Account –

Maps active vs. dormant emotional and behavioral energies, highlighting internal imbalance and identifying trapped potential.

 4. Trend Analysis –

Reviews mood fluctuations—ranging from low, moderate, to heightened states—to detect emotional volatility and irregularities.

 5. Structural Deviation-

Reveals energy deficits or overloads, including workaholic tendencies and imbalanced responsibility-taking that misaligns with emotional readiness.

 6. Behavioral Profile-

Serves as a mirror reflecting internal patterns that manifest externally—whether productive or destructive.

 7. Root Cause Analysis-

Identifies underlying habits and triggers contributing to behavioral deviations and associated risk factors.

 8. Point-Blank Analysis-

Clarifies the direct rationale behind ongoing behavioral issues, categorizing them into:

 • Definition (Good)

 • Violation (Bad)

 • Deviation (Ugly)

 9. Lifestyle Protocol Tracker- 

Uses graphical representation to assess behavioral trends, habits, and potential addictions—whether positive or harmful.

 10. Gap, Loophole & Vacuum Analysis-

Identifies psychological gaps and emotional vacuums that may fuel behavioral issues. These can be addressed and converted into value through therapeutic engagement.

Role of SABA Resources Intervention Hub

SABA Resources Intervention Hub supports families, individuals, and institutions in conducting comprehensive behavioral analyses, enabling proactive prevention, status definition, private and corporate interventions for the optimal life and productivity. Behavioral health is multidimensional—encompassing the mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional components of the individual and the organizations . Monthly check-ups help maintain equilibrium and promote wholesome living and productivity.

21 Practical Ways to Monitor and Support Children and Youths

Parents and caregivers should use the checklist below as a bonding and early intervention tool:

 1. What values does the child or youth hold dear?

 2. Are there noticeable mood swings or emotional highs and lows?

 3. What outcomes are expected from current pursuits, and how are they managed?

 4. Who are their close friends? How often and where do they interact?

 5. Any recent emotional shifts? What triggered them?

 6. Level of self-discipline—minimal or strong? Why?

 7. Degree of withdrawal from family—subtle or significant?

 8. What distractions are persistent, and how long have they been evident?

 9. Any new emotional or physical patterns?

 10. Extent of indulgent behaviors—what are the influencing factors?

 11. Willingness to accept fault and express remorse?

 12. Openness to change—how deep and consistent?

 13. Level of commitment to spiritual or ethical practices?

 14. Sudden change of interests—when, why, and how?

 15. Correlation between passion and aggression levels?

 16. Performance consistency—improving or declining?

 17. Ability to communicate and share personal interests?

 18. Openness and honesty—freely expressive or reserved?

 19. Self-reporting behavior vs. being prompted by others?

 20. Frequency of reporting mistakes without coercion?

 21. Main sources of personal distress—how frequent and why?

The Three Behavioral Health Pitfalls

Three major pitfalls hinder timely intervention in behavioral health:

 • Ignore – Dismissing early signs as unimportant.

 • Ignorance – Failing to recognize the symptoms or implications.

 • Ignominy – Fear of public opinion or stigma of feelings of shame!

Behavioral issues don’t resolve themselves—they require engagement, empathy, and expertise. It’s time for parents and stakeholders to speak up and out for the necessary intervention!

If you observe troubling patterns in your child’s behavior, act swiftly. SABA Resources Intervention Hub offers expert behavioral profiling to restore balance and uncover the original potential within each individual. Let’s join hands together to help the Gen Z generation, the youth and the adolescent demography to raise a leadership generation in excellence and productivity. 

Start today—whether as a parent, teacher, caregiver, or youth. Know your behavioral “tilt”, “fit” “fort” and “fortresses”avoid the behavioral “filth”, Realign toward optimal growth- personal and collective. This will ultimately reduce the rate of violation and curb the incidences of drug addiction and substance abuse among other malaises. 

Dr. James Komolafe is a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist & Associate Professor of Behavioural Intervention, Abuja