Behavioral problems in children are more common than you might think. However, it’s not always easy to identify them or know how to deal with them. So, in this article, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about behavioral disorders in children.
What are the most common behavioral problems in children?
Before implementing management strategies, it is important to recognize the behavioural problems and determine if your child has them. If so, professional help is essential.
Thus, we will list below the most common ones and the most appropriate course of action for them.
1. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) can occur in both young children and adolescents, but the signs usually appear in the early years.
According to the DSM-5, behaviours to watch for are irritable, easily changed moods. Also, frequent outbursts of anger and challenging the opinions of parents or other authority figures such as teachers or doctors.
Vengeful behavior is also common. These behaviors, depending on the child, can manifest themselves either in specific contexts such as school, or in everyday life. There’s a lot of literature on the subject, but in my own practice, I’ve noticed that in many cases, attachment wounds can lurk beneath the TOP.
When it comes to treatment, there’s no magic wand, and the path is often long, perilous and strewn with trial and error.
If you’d like to learn more about this challenge, I invite you to read my full article on the subject.
2. Attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity
It’s perhaps one of the best-known and most over-diagnosed behavioral disorders ! It is not specific to childhood, but can develop in infancy. In most cases, it can be alleviated by influencing the child’s immediate environment. The child’s immediate environment being: parents, daycare and school staff, etc.
Signs to watch for include: frequent distractions, talking too much, fidgeting, forgetting details, interrupting others, constantly changing tasks, difficulty staying in place, etc.
The treatments used for ADD, ADHD are generally, as for Oppositional Defiant Disorder, cognitive-behavioural therapy or family therapy.
In the meantime, parents should consider creating a structured routine for children, helping them eliminate distractions when doing homework and encouraging physical activity.
To learn more about ADHD, you can read our article“Is ADHD a disability or a valuable asset? Tailored reflections and interventions! “
3. Behavioral disorder
Conduct disorder is one of the most ambiguous of all behavioral disorders. It encompasses a number of attitudes toward others. In young children, it is characterized by aggression, such as pushing or biting others.
Tweens may resort to bullying, fighting, vandalism and even arson.
Diagnosis is a little more complex, but as with other behavioural disorders , it is best to consult a professional.
Treatment may include different types of therapy, including encouraging empathetic peer treatment and community role development in preteens.
In the case of conduct disorder, it is very important to inform the school and other settings where the child spends time of his or her diagnosis, as many people may exclude the child by not understanding his or her behaviors.
On the other hand, being consistent with the child’s therapy is essential to help him or her overcome these behaviors.
For more information on children’s behavioral problems , you can also book a consultation here, or find out more about my training in crisis and emotional management.
