Behavioural Disorders

Behavioural Concerns in Children

Some children have extremely difficult and challenging behaviours that are outside the norm for their age. These problems can result from temporary stressors in the child’s life, or they might represent more enduring disorders. The most common disruptive behaviour disorders include oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Boys are more likely than girls to suffer from behavioural disorders. Treatment options include parent management training, cognitive behaviour therapy, medication and treatment for associated problems.

Risk Factors

Gender

Boys are much more likely than girls to suffer from behavioural disorders. It is unclear if the cause is genetic or linked to socialisation experiences.

Gestation and birth

Difficult pregnancies, premature birth and low birth weight may contribute in some cases to the child’s problem behaviour later in life.

Temperament

Children who are difficult to manage, temperamental or aggressive from an early age are more likely to develop behavioural disorders later in life.

Family life

Behavioural disorders are more likely in dysfunctional families. For example, a child is at increased risk in families where domestic violence, poverty, poor parenting skills or substance abuse are a problem.

Learning difficulties

Problems with reading and writing are often associated with behaviour problems.

Intellectual disabilities

Children with intellectual disabilities are twice as likely to have behavioural disorders.

Brain development

Studies have shown that areas of the brain that control attention appear to be less active in children with ADHD.

Diagnosis of children’s behavioural disorders

Disruptive behavioural disorders are complicated and may include many different factors working in combination. For example, a child who exhibits the delinquent behaviours of CD may also have ADHD, Anxiety, depression and a difficult home life.

Diagnosis methods may include:
• Diagnosis by a specialist service, which may include a paediatrician, psychologist or child psychiatrist
• In-depth interviews with the parents, child and teachers
• Behaviour checklists or standardised questionnaires.
A diagnosis is made if the child’s behaviour meets the criteria for disruptive behaviour disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders from the American Psychiatric Association.

It is important to rule out acute stressors that might be disrupting the child’s behaviour. For example, a sick parent or victimising by other children might be responsible for sudden changes in a child’s typical behaviour and these factors have to be considered initially.

Treatment of behavioural disorders in children

Untreated children with behavioural disorders may grow up to be dysfunctional adults. Generally, the earlier the intervention, the better the outcome is likely to be.

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