Disruptive Behavior of Children with Special 2. Anxiety Disorders
Parental education – for example, teaching
Needs and How to Overcome Them
Disruptive behaviors of children with special
needs—and other children—are among the most challenging
and stressful issues faced by schools and parents in their
efforts to provide appropriate educational programs.
Problem behaviors such as property destruction, physical
aggression, self-injury, and tantrums are major barriers to
effective social and educational development (Horner et al.,
2000; Riechle, 1990).
Such behaviors put young children at risk for
exclusion and isolation from social, educational, family, and
community activities (Sprague and Rian, 1993). In addition,
problem behaviors may place an onerous burden on families,
particularly as children grow from preschool into school age
(Bristol et al., 1993).
Examples of Disruptive Behaviors
1. The Common Diagnosis: ODD
Often children who lash out or refuse to follow
direction are thought to have oppositional defiant
disorder (ODD), which is characterized by a pattern of
negative, hostile, or defiant behavior. Symptoms of ODD
include a child frequently losing his temper, arguing with
adults, becoming easily annoyed, or actively disobeying
requests or rules. In order to be diagnosed with ODD, the
child’s disruptive behavior must be occurring for at least
six months. But there are a number of other issues that
could lead to kids being oppositional or out of control in
school or at home.
1.
Children with anxiety disorders have
significant difficulty coping with situations that
cause them distress. When a child with an
untreated anxiety disorder is put into an
anxiety-inducing situation, he may become
oppositional in an effort to escape that
situation or avoid the source of his acute fear.
3. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD)
Many children with ADHD, especially
those who experience impulsivity and
hyperactivity, may appear to be intentionally
oppositional. These children may have
difficulty sitting still, they grab things from
other kids, blurt out inappropriate remarks,
have difficulty waiting their turn, interrupt
others, and act without thinking through the
consequences.
4. Learning disorders
When a child acts out repeatedly in
school, it’s possible that the behavior stems
from an undiagnosed learning disorder. Say he
has extreme difficulty mastering math skills,
and laboring unsuccessfully over a set of
problems makes him very frustrated and
irritable. Or he knows next period is math
class.
How to Overcome With It?
parents how to communicate with and
manage their children.
2. Family therapy – the entire family is helped
to improve communication and problem-
solving skills.
3. Cognitive behavioural therapy – to help the
child to control their thoughts and behaviour.
4. Social training – the child is taught
important social skills, such as how to have a
conversation or play cooperatively with others.
5. Anger management – the child is taught
how to recognise the signs of their growing
frustration and given a range of coping skills
designed to defuse their anger and aggressive
behaviour. Relaxation techniques and stress
management skills are also taught.
6. Support for associated problems – for
example, a child with a learning difficulty will
benefit from professional support.
7. Encouragement – many children with
behavioural disorders experience repeated
failures at school and in their interactions with
others. Encouraging the child to excel in their
particular talents (such as sport) can help to
build self-esteem.
8. Medication – to help control impulsive
behaviours.