Types of Behavioral Disorders in Children

Behavioral disorders in children are patterns of behavior that can affect a child's ability to function at home, in school, or in social settings. Such symptoms are present for six months or longer.

Behavioral disorders in children can create a number of challenges and difficulties in a child's life. Such conditions can lead to social problems, academic difficulties, and disciplinary issues in different settings.

If you are concerned about a child's behavior, it can be helpful to learn more about some of the conditions that can contribute to behavioral issues in childhood. Getting intervention can help the child develop skills that will help them deal with some of these challenges so that you can better support them.

Sometimes behaviors might be viewed as problems because they do not conform to what a child is expected to do in a particular setting.

In such cases, recognizing a child's needs and characteristics can help parents, teachers, and caregivers adapt experiences and provide interventions and accommodations that will help ease stress and allow kids to engage with their environment in a way that works for their individual needs.

Characteristics of Behavioral Disorders in Children

Behavioral disorders tend to be characterized by behaviors that are considered disruptive. Because these conditions involve directing actions outwards toward other people, they are sometimes known as externalizing disorders.

These disorders sometimes involve:

• Aggression
• Defiance
• Delinquency
• Hyperactivity
• Inattention
• Impulsivity
• Substance use

Not all behavior problems indicate the presence of a condition, and most kids experience some type of disruptive behavior from time to time. But if a child's behavior lasts six months or longer and impacts their home, social, or academic life, you should talk to the child's doctor.

Diagnosis of Behavioral Disorders in Children

The diagnosis of behavioral disorders in children usually involves an evaluation of their symptoms. The child's doctor or mental health provider may start by asking questions about their behavior. They will also look at the child's background and medical history.

Diagnosis may also involve screenings, psychological assessments, and interviews with other individuals, such as the child's teachers and caregivers. While you might be able to recognize signs of a behavioral disorder, only a qualified professional can make a diagnosis. 

Behavioral disorders are rarely diagnosed in children before the age of five. Occasional temper tantrums and other disruptive behaviors are common in kids during early childhood.

Causes of Behavioral Disorders in Children

Behavioral disorders in children do not have a single identifiable cause. Instead, numerous factors play a role in the onset of different behavioral issues. Some factors that can contribute to the onset of a behavioral disorder include:

• Differences in brain chemistry and structure: Some research suggests that differences in brain development, chemistry, and structure may contribute to some behavioral conditions. Neurotransmitter levels and the brain's response to different chemicals can also contribute to differences in behavior.
• Genetics: Certain behavioral disorders tend to run in families, which suggests that genetic factors may contribute to these conditions.
• Sex and gender: Behavioral disorders are more common in male children. This might be influenced by biological factors, but societal expectations about traditional gender roles may also impact how kids behave. For example, while boys exhibit more physical aggression, girls are more likely to engage in verbal or relational aggression.
• Traumatic experiences: Children exposed to stress and trauma are more likely to have behavioral issues. Such traumas may stem from abuse and neglect. Research has also found that children raised by authoritarian parents are more likely to engage in aggressive behavior. Children who experience socioeconomic stressors may be more likely to have behavioral issues.

Types of Behavioral Disorders in Children

Some conditions that may contribute to behavior issues in children include the following.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral condition that is usually first diagnosed in childhood. It involves characteristic behavior patterns that may involve hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. Children with these characteristics may have more difficulty paying attention, staying on task, and controlling their behaviors.

Characteristics of ADHD can include:

• Being easily distracted
• Getting bored easily
• Difficulty following directions
• Restlessness
• Disruptive, loud behaviors
• Interrupting others
• Acting impulsively

Conduct Disorder

Conduct disorder (CD) is characterized by aggression toward others. Children with this condition violate social norms with peers, at home, and in school. 

Kids who have conduct disorder may:

• Bully or threaten others
• Get into physical fights
• Behave in cruel ways toward people and animals
• Destroy property
• Steal or lie for personal gain
• Engage in delinquent behaviors

Oppositional-Defiant Disorder (ODD)

Oppositional-defiant disorder (ODD) is a condition that typically begins in childhood and is characterized by patterns of aggression and misbehavior. The condition's primary symptoms involve anger, defiant behavior, and vindictiveness.

Children with ODD tend to:

• Have frequent temper tantrums
• Have a low tolerance for frustration
• Lie, intentionally annoy others and create conflict
• Are moody and easily annoyed
• Refuse to comply with requests
  

Treatment for Behavioral Disorders in Children

Treatment for behavioral disorders in children depends on the nature, type, and severity of the problems a child is experiencing. In many cases, interventions will focus on:

• Family therapy: Children with behavioral disorders often benefit if parents, siblings, and other family members attend therapy sessions together. Family therapy can improve relationships and communication while reducing conflicts.
• Individual therapy: Different types of psychotherapy can help children learn to manage behavior. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one approach that can help kids learn to identify and change thoughts contributing to behavioral issues.
• Medication: While there is no medication specifically to treat behavioral disorders, certain medications may help children manage different symptoms they might be experiencing.
• Parent education: Children with behavioral issues can also benefit if parents learn how to respond to behavior issues more effectively. Parent education often focuses on behavior management strategies.
• Residential treatment: In some cases, a child's behavior may become out of control and require more intensive treatment to help keep them and others safe. 

Coping With Behavioral Disorders in Children

Utilizing effective behavior management strategies in the home can help parents and children better cope with behavioral issues.

Some tactics that can help include:

• Creating consistent structure in the home
• Offer clear rules and instructions
• Setting and enforcing limits on behavior
• Utilizing positive reinforcement to encourage the desired behaviors
• Using time-outs to reduce the likelihood of behavioral outbursts or inappropriate behavior

Most kids misbehave on occasion, and having temper tantrums and other behavioral outbursts once in a while is usually not a cause for concern. However, if a child is experiencing long-lasting patterns of behavior problems that create distress, interfere with their ability to function in different areas, or pose a risk of harm to themselves or others, it is essential to seek help. Early intervention can often lead to better outcomes and fewer disruptions in a child’s life.