Many of us find it hard to believe that a small child can already show symptoms of psychopathy. Yet preeminent psychopathy researcher Dr. Robert D. Hare has noted, “We have learned that elements of this personality disorder first become evident at a very early age.”1

Labeling a child a psychopath is taboo since it is a social stigma with core features that brand a person as bad. As a result, The Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry has proposed that impulse-ridden personality or tension-discharge disorder be used in place of psychopathy.2 With young children, problems may be transitory as they grow, lending hope for change.

Some psychopathic traits are observed in childhood, including the emotional impairment known as callous-unemotional (CU) traits.3 They are related to a lack of empathy, guilt, or remorse, and are reported to be a developmental precursor to psychopathy.4 The CU traits can produce behaviors that are extremely concerning to caregivers. Normal interactions with siblings and playmates can be disrupted. In extreme cases, the CU-displaying child may cause physical harm to others or animals.

Studies have shown that “compared with other children with disruptive behaviors,........

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