- Lack of Organization
- Impaired Functioning at Home & in
School
- Disturbed Peer Relationships
- Low Self Esteem
- Performance Anxiety
- Poor Academic Performance
What are the types of Disruptive Behavior Disorder?
Attention - Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is
characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity
that causes behavior and academic difficulties in about 5% of school-aged
children.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is
characterized by a recurrent pattern of defiant and disobedient
behavior toward authority figures that is more frequent
and severe than typically observed in children of the same
age.
Conduct Disorder (CD) is characterized
by a pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of
others and societal rules are violated. Conduct problems
include such behavior as aggression toward people and
animals, destruction of property, deceitfulness and theft,
and serious violations of the rules.
What PROBLEMS are associated with ADHD and disruptive behavior
disorders?
A substantial proportion of children with ADHD symptoms also display
significant oppositional or conduct problems. These disorders cause
significant impairment in home and/or school functioning.
Children with ADHD often experience difficulties organizing tasks
and activities.
At school, children with ADHD may leave their seat at inappropriate
times, blurt out answers, and lose materials necessary to complete
their work.
At home, children with ADHD often experience problems completing
homework and chores. They may display oppositional behavior with
parental request to do work.
Children with ADHD and the disruptive behavior disorders often display
a pattern of disturbed peer relationships, poor self-esteem, poor
academic performance, low frustration tolerance, and temper outbursts.
How does this change the PARENT'S ROLE?
Children with disruptive behavior problems are difficult to parent.
Strategies that work with other children do not work with these children.
This can create much stress on marital and family relationships.
Parents need to have training and guidance in implementing strategies
designed to increase children's positive behavior and decrease oppositional/aggressive
behavior.
Parents need to be an advocate for their child in the school setting.
Parents can play a vital role coordinating with teachers on managing
their child's behavior in the classroom, facilitating organizational
skills, and promoting positive peer relationships.
Parents need to be able to cope with their own anger when their child
misbehaves and to be able to explore their own feelings about having
a difficult-to-manage child.
What kinds of TREATMENT interventions are provided?
An EVALUATION of the child's difficulties provides
a diagnostic basis for therapeutic recommendations. Evaluations can
be brief or can be extended over a number of sessions, depending
on the complexity of the problems.
We offer an integrated approach to the TREATMENT of ADHD and Disruptive
Behavioral Disorders: cognitive, behavioral, and family therapies
are combined into a coherent treatment strategy. Specific interventions
offered include parent training in behavior management, child-focused
family therapy, individualized program development, sibling counseling,
and social skills training for children.
CONSULTATIONS are also offered as a possible part of a child's treatment.
Consultations help important people in the child's life to better
understand the child's difficulties and to make adjustments in their
expectations and reactions in order to facilitate positive change.
Teacher consultations to facilitate school adjustment are the most
common.
|
