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Identifying
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A large percentage of the children of homeless families do not attend
school and those that do attend may change schools frequently.
Parents in a homeless situation may enroll a child using a questionable
home address or an address of another family. They may be reluctant to
reveal that they are homeless because of their embarrassment or fear of
being stigmatized.
Homeless children usually lack school records. Without records, new teachers
must invest extra time in assessing the educational needs of these children
and referring them for appropriate services. Thus it is important for
educators to become familiar with the common characteristics of homeless
children so that they may recognize and assist them without delay.
Homeless children who do attend school may not make satisfactory progress.
They are more likely to have difficulty making transitions, being successful
with academic tasks, interacting appropriately with peers, and displaying
self confidence.
It is important that schools recognize that homeless students bring with them a variety of preexisting problems, including emotional stress, behavioral disorders, poor health, developmental delays created by a transient lifestyle, and learning problems resulting from poor school attendance.
The following are signs that may indicate a child is homeless:
Physical and medical difficulties
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Chronic hunger and tiredness
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Unattended medical or dental needs
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Developmental delays
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Grooming, personal hygiene, and clothing that draws attention
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Hordes food at snack time
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Wears same clothes for several days
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Poor health or nutrition
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Increased vulnerability to infections
Social difficulties
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Difficulty trusting people
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Unwilling to socialize at recess
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Disturbed relationships
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Refusing invitations from classmates
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Unwillingness to risk forming relations with classmates & teachers
Emotional difficulties
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Extremes in behavior, including withdrawal, depression, shyness, nervousness, aggression, or anger
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Anxiety late in the day
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Fear of abandonment
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Need for immediate gratification
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Poor self-esteem
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Clinging behavior
Sources
Educating Homeless Children and Youth: Problems and Solutions. (May 1998) Office for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth, Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved on August 9, 2001, from http://www.wmpenn.edu/PennWeb/LTP/DOEMat/LEHC1.html
Recognizing Homeless Children and Youth. (n.d.) Illinois Statewide Access
to Education for Homeless Children and Youth. Retrieved on August 9, 2001,
from http://www.lth3.k12.il.us/openingdoors/
schools/recognizing.htm
