Anti-Social Behavior and Truancy

I will share with you the insightful lecture of Dr. Edna Sarah C. Morada on this topic entitled “ Dealing with Anti-Social Behavior and Truancy” which she delivered during our 63rd annual convention of the Philippine Pediatric Society at the SMX convention center last April 28-30, 2026.

Dr. Morada started with the different definitions of anti- social behavior. 

It is any act that violates social norm and harm the basic rights of others; it is also an act that may lead to a criminal charge if the child were 12 years and older; and, it is an act of violence against either property or people that may lead to direct or indirect effects on health.

The symptoms of anti- social behavior are the following:
1. Aggresive behavior that could either be physical or verbal
2. Defiance/ disobedience/ oppositional behavior
3. Temper tantrums
4. Bullying
5. Deceitfulness
6. Disrespectful
7. Lack of empathy
8. Withdrawal or isolation
9. Truancy

Dr. Edna Morada explained further that Truancy is an act of staying away from school or work without a valid reason or permission. Truancy could be a symptom of a deeper problem.

It is worthy to know that there are two screening tools available that can be used during assessment:
1. ISRD or international self-reported delinquency study
– in this tool, data from routine preventive child healthcare is being used
2. EARL or early development risk list
– this is an early risk assessment of antisocial behavior in under 12
– the instrument is developed by the child institute in Canada.

The speaker , Dr Morada, stated that the management of anti- social behavior and truancy should be collaborative among experts, teachers and the family involved. There are steps suggested and these are:


Step 1: early identification
– screening and assessment of risk factors

Step 2: family-based intervention
– parent training and family support

Step 3: child focused therapy
– social skills and training

Step 4: school and community support
– behavior plans and mentoring

Step 5: in severe cases
– this needs multisystemic therapy that involves home and community programs