CONDUCT DISORDER
Conduct disorder is characterised by challenging behaviour that can affect a child's development and interfere with their ability to lead a normal life.
Causes of conduct disorder
- Conduct disorder applies to children whose behaviour at home or at school is impaired by constant conflict with adults and other children.
- In adolescents it can go to antisocial extremes and may lead to exclusion from school or trouble with the law.
- Individual, genetic, and environmental factors can interact to result in Conduct Disorder
Symptoms of conduct disorder
- Symptoms include fighting and physical cruelty, destructiveness, lying and stealing and truancy (including running away from home).
Treatments for conduct disorder
- Behaviour therapy, including role play, rehearsal and practice.
- Psychotherapy, particularly to help with anger management.
- Educational support for learning disabilities.
- Counselling of parents, e.g. helping them to manage at home.
- Medication for ADHD and / or depression.
Behaviour management
- Feelings of anger and frustration can be helped by working on an anger management programme.
- Establish and communicate clear routines and expectations.
- Try to stay calm and follow through a plan if the child or young person is not able to manage in the classroom.
- Work with parents/carers to help provide consistency in behaviour management.
Learning support
- Active teaching of problem solving and social skills.
- Working with a specialist teacher in a small group can be helpful particularly when new things are being introduced.
