Misbehavior is different from behavioral disorders. Misbehavior can stem from occasional stressful family situations such as moving houses, divorce, parental conflicts etc. But childhood behavioral disorders are more serious, prolonged and disruptive in more ways than one.
Signs of Childhood Behavioral Disorders
Kids with behavioral disorders can display many signs that parents and teachers can easily recognize as troublesome.
Some of the common signs of childhood behavioral disorders can be
• Violent behavior, threatening friends, animals and even parents
• Aggressive acts like damaging property, vandalism
• Truancy, loss of interest in academics or hobbies
• Hostile behavior, impulsiveness
• Lying frequently
• Disobedience
• Lack of empathy
• Poor confidence, low self-esteem
• Risky sexual behavior
• Increased restlessness
Types of Childhood Behavioral Disorders
The most common types of childhood behavioral disorders are conduct disorder (CD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Children with CD display more aggressive behavior than those with ODD. CD involves more persistent and serious behavioral problems. It can also stem from untreated ODD. A child with ODD openly defies orders, has a short temper, always blames others and has poor self-esteem. But children with CD display delinquent behaviors that are more aggressive. They are quick to start a fight and even display an attachment to sadistic behavior.
• Kids with ADHD most often display problematic behavioral traits when they also suffer from CD or ODD. This can increase their chances of developing learning difficulties. A child with only ADHD doesn’t display violent or defiant behavior.
Treatment for Childhood Behavioral Disorders
Children who suffer from CD or ODD can greatly benefit from expert counseling sessions. This is because these kids are already defiant. They rarely or never respond to parents, teachers or guardians to rectify their behavior. And if childhood behavioral disorders are not treated in a timely manner, these can manifest as even more deep-rooted problems in later years.
• Expert counseling sessions for childhood behavioral disorders teach patients to understand their problems and to deal with them properly.
• Counseling centers work with trained therapists to assists kids to learn constructive coping mechanisms instead of dealing with their problems with violent or defiant behaviors.
• Parental education is extremely important to deal with childhood behavioral disorders. At these counseling centers, parents can learn proven treatment methods to help their kids to overcome their behavioral disorders.
• At school or even at home, signs of childhood behavioral disorders can be simply viewed as bad behavior. In such cases, punishments or time-outs can further aggravate the problem. If you repeatedly hear complaints from your child’s teachers about negative behavior then perhaps it is time to seek expert help for your kids.
• At dedicated centers for childhood behavioral disorders, treatment options include unique needs of every patient. The treatment techniques can range from family therapy, social training, cognitive behavioral therapy, anger management and even medication.
You can ask your pediatrician for recommendations for a therapist or approach a state-approved counseling center for more information.