Does my child show signs of a behavioral disorder?

A behavioral disorder is an umbrella term describing mental disorders affecting someone’s behavior in relation with the outside world. While it is common for kids to act out from time to time, when recurring bad behavior starts to cause problems in school, at home, or in a child’s social relationships, seeking consultation for diagnosis and treatment is crucial. Some signs and symptoms of a behavioral disorder are:

Generally poor mood; depression
Inability to maintain friendships
Repeated conduct problems at school
Poor relationship with teachers
Difficulty learning that cannot be explained by other factors
Aggression/violence
Disobeying rules at home

Children with a behavioral disorder are difficult to instruct for teachers, and attempting to eliminate bad behavior often turns out to be ineffective. Parents and teachers must reward good behavior to positively reinforce this behavior. Remaining calm and not becoming angry with the child is often very emotionally difficult for adults, however authority influence is especially important with children who struggle with behavioral issues. Consequences for breaking rules must be consistent, and these consequences must be given out calmly and clearly. Always remember to word your rules positively, as the way we word things can often color the intention.

delete-19 Routines can be especially important in the classroom. Often times, children with behavioral disorder are resistant to unexpected changes, so having the ability to review a visual schedule of the day make the student feel comfortable and able. Parents must create an environment of support and love to ensure the child has self esteem.

Neurofeedback gets to the root of the problem by finding where the brain is having trouble and targeting these areas to improve brain function. Neurofeedback can help children who struggle with behavior disorders by having less frequent symptoms, lower intensity of symptoms, and a new ability to handle stress calmly.

In addition to neurofeedback, Dr. Ross, our founder and director, offers parent coaching to teach the skills you need to create the most comfortable, efficient, and suitable home environment for your child’s specific needs. Every child is different, so every treatment plan is different.