Foundations of Special and Inclusive Education

Learning Module

Name: ______________________ Course, Year & Sec.: ____________ Date: ____________

Topic:

Behavioral Disorder

I. Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, the student will be able to:
a) define the meaning of behavioral disorder and its effect to human lives;
b) compare and contrast the different types of behavioral disorder in an individual; and
c) foster a profound understanding of behavioral disorder and how will it affect the teaching
and learning.
II. Content
Behavioral disorders involve a pattern of disruptive behaviors in children that last for at
least 6 months and cause problems in school, at home and in social situations. Behavioral
disorders involve a pattern of disruptive behaviors in children that last for at least 6 months and
cause problems in school, at home and in social situations. Nearly everyone shows some of
these behaviors at times, but behavior disorders are more serious.

Behavioral disorders may involve:

 Inattention
 Hyperactivity
 Impulsivity
 Defiant behavior
 drug use
 criminal activity

There are several types of behavioral disorders, including:

 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

 Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
 Conduct Disorder

Behavioral Disorder Symptoms, Causes and Effects

Behavioral disorders, also known as disruptive behavioral disorders, are the most
common reasons that parents are told to take their kids for mental health assessments and
treatment. Behavioral disorders are also common in adults. If left untreated in childhood, these
disorders can negatively affect a person’s ability to hold a job and maintain relationships.
What Are the Types of Behavioral Disorders?

According to BehaviorDisorder.org, behavioral disorders may be broken down into a few

types, which include:

 Anxiety disorders

 Disruptive behavioral disorders

 Dissociative disorders

 Emotional disorders

 Pervasive developmental disorders

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ADHD is a condition that
impairs an individual’s ability to properly focus and to control impulsive behaviors, or it may
make the person overactive.

ADHD is more common in boys than it is in girls. According to the Wexner Medical
Center at Ohio State University, males are two to three times more likely than females to get
ADHD.

Emotional Behavioral Disorder

An emotional behavioral disorder affects a person’s ability to be happy, control their

emotions and pay attention in school. According to Gallaudet University, symptoms of an
emotional behavioral disorder include:

 Inappropriate actions or emotions under normal circumstances

 Learning difficulties that are not caused by another health factor

 Difficulty with interpersonal relationships, including relationships with teachers and peers

 A general feeling of unhappiness or depression

 Feelings of fear and anxiety related to personal or school matters

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

ODD is a behavioral disorder characterized by hostile, irritable and uncooperative

attitudes in children, according to Children’s Mental Health Ontario. Children with ODD may be
spiteful or annoying on purpose, and they generally direct their negative actions at authority
figures.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal emotion, and all people feel anxiety at some point in their lives.
However, for some people, anxiety may get to a point where it interferes with their daily lives,
causing insomnia and negatively affecting performance at work or school, according to the
Mayo Clinic. Anxiety disorders involve more than regular anxiety. They are serious mental
health conditions that require treatment. Examples of these types of mental conditions include:

 Post-traumatic stress disorder

 Obsessive-compulsive disorder

 Generalized anxiety disorder

 Panic disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD is characterized by fears and irrational thoughts that lead to obsessions, which, in
turn, cause compulsions, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you have OCD, you engage in
compulsive, repetitive behavior despite realizing the negative consequences of — or even the
unreasonable nature of — your actions. Performing these repetitive acts does nothing more
than relieve stress temporarily.

If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these behavioral disorders, it is important to get help
as soon as possible, because these conditions can affect quality of life to such a degree that
they may lead to self-harm. Please call for assistance.

What Causes a Behavioral Disorder?

A behavioral disorder can have a variety of causes. According to the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill, the abnormal behavior that is usually associated with these disorders
can be traced back to biological, family and school-related factors.

Some biological causes may include:

 Physical illness or disability

 Malnutrition

 Brain damage

 Hereditary factors

Other factors related to an individual’s home life may contribute to behaviors associated
with a behavioral disorder:

 Divorce or other emotional upset at home

 Coercion from parents

 Unhealthy or inconsistent discipline style

 Poor attitude toward education or schooling

What Are the Signs of a Behavioral Disorder?

Someone who has a behavioral disorder may act out or display emotional upset in
different ways, which will also vary from person to person.
Emotional Symptoms of Behavioral Disorders

According to Boston Children’s Hospital, some of the emotional symptoms of behavioral

disorders include:

 Easily getting annoyed or nervous

 Often appearing angry

 Putting blame on others

 Refusing to follow rules or questioning authority

 Arguing and throwing temper tantrums

 Having difficulty in handling frustration

Physical Symptoms of Behavioral Disorders

Unlike other types of health issues, a behavioral disorder will have mostly emotional
symptoms, with physical symptoms such as a fever, rash, or headache being absent. However,
sometimes people suffering from a behavioral disorder will develop a substance abuse problem,
which could show physical symptoms such as burnt fingertips, shaking or bloodshot eyes.

Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of a Behavioral Disorder

If left untreated, a behavioral disorder may have negative short-term and long-term
effects on an individual’s personal and professional life. People may get into trouble for acting
out, such as face suspension or expulsion for fighting, bullying or arguing with authority figures.
Adults may eventually lose their jobs. Marriages can fall apart due to prolonged strained
relationships, while children may have to switch schools and then eventually run out of options.

According to HealthyChildren.org, the most serious actions a person with a behavioral

disorder may engage in include starting fights, abusing animals and threatening to use a
weapon on others.

The earlier a behavioral disorder is diagnosed and properly treated, the more likely it is
that a child or adult suffering from it will be able to control their behavior.

Behavioral Disorder Basics

Behavioral disorders are classified as a pattern of behaviors that are disruptive and
harmful to you and those around you. These disorders are typically diagnosed and treated in
early childhood, but if left untreated they can affect your adult life making it difficult for you to
maintain healthy relationships, regular employment, and other functions of a typical adult.

Some risk factors for developing a behavior disorder include but are not limited to:

 Childhood substance abuse

 Low self-esteem
  Parental substance abuse

 Lack of parental supervision as a childhood

 Traumatic events

 Exposure to toxic substances as a child

 Lack of emotional attachment to parents

 Associating with peers involved in deviant behavior

There are many kinds of behavioral issues. Here are the five most common affecting Americans
today:

1. Conduct Disorder

Conduct disorder occurs when you struggle with antisocial behaviors, following rules,
and showing empathy towards those around you. Signs of this disorder usually appear around
the age of 16 and include:

 Starting physical altercations

 Engaging in bullying or threatening your peers

 Stealing

 Destroying or breaking into private property

Other indicators of conduct disorder are lack of remorse, concern, empathy, or any emotional
response for your actions.

2. Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)

Children naturally act out in defiance and throw tantrums. When that behavior translates
into adulthood, it’s called oppositional defiant disorder. ODD begins in childhood with behaviors
like frequent questioning of authority, excessive arguing, refusing to comply, and intentionally
engaging in behaviors that upset others.

If not diagnosed and treated at a young age, ODD can present itself in your later life as
feeling angry at the world, feeling misunderstood, disliking authority figures, especially at work,
becoming defensive when presented with opposition or feedback, and blaming others for your
actions.

3. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is likely one of the most common behavior issues for children, adolescents, and
adults. It’s signs and symptoms include:

 Impulsivity

 Inability to pay attention

  Lack of time management skills

 Mood swings

 Low frustration threshold and trouble coping with stress

These symptoms can lead to complications like financial instability, unemployment, frequent
trouble with law enforcement, substance abuse or misuse, and unstable relationships.

4. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

If you have OCD, you likely feel you’re drowning in a constant state of worry. OCD is
characterized by thoughts, actions, and impulses that are chronic, uncontrollable, and intrusive.
You might engage in behaviors like constant washing and cleaning, repeating phrases or
prayers, following strict routines, or repetitively counting and checking.

For example, you may have a significant fear of or be worried about germs. This might
cause you to wash your hands compulsively to get rid of any potential germs even if your hands
become chapped, raw, and blistered.

Other obsessions can include:

 Severe doubt and uncertainty

 The need to have things orderly or symmetrical

 Ideation about losing control or harming yourself or others

 Unwanted aggressive or sexual thoughts

OCD is an overwhelming condition that invades and disrupts your life making it difficult to
function normally. OCD can lead to other complications like bipolar disorder, depression,
and anxiety.

5. Behavioral Addiction

Addiction is not limited to substance abuse. Addiction occurs when your brain associates
pleasure and activates its reward mechanism when engaging in an activity. There are many
behaviors that you can become addicted to including:

 Gambling

 Sex

 Internet

 Shopping

 Video games

 Plastic surgery

 Binge eating
  Risky behavior

If you’re addicted to one or more of these behaviors, you might neglect family and work
responsibilities, use the behavior as a way to cope with emotions, deny or hide your problem,
and continue the behavior despite wanting to stop or cut back. All of these behavioral addictions
can lead to problems with your finances and relationships, and threaten your safety and overall
health.

Treating Your Behavioral Issues

No matter what behavioral disorder you’re living with, we can help you manage and treat
your symptoms. We offer a comprehensive list of treatment options depending on your specific
needs including:

 Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

 Psychotherapy and counseling

 Medication management

If you think you or a loved one is struggling with a behavior disorder, don’t hesitate to
seek out our professional help.

What are behavioral disorders?

Behavioral disorders typically develop in childhood or adolescence. While some behavioral
issues may be normal in children, those who have behavioral disorders develop chronic
patterns of aggression, defiance, disruption and hostility. Their behaviors cause problems at
home, school or work, and can interfere with relationships. Children with behavioral disorders
may develop personality disorders, depression, or bipolar disorder as adults.
Children with behavioral disorders may throw frequent and extended tantrums, hurt themselves
or others, get involved in criminal activities, lie, smoke, use alcohol or drugs, be openly defiant,
or engage in early sexual activity. They may skip or fail school. They also have a higher than
average risk of suicide.
Although the cause of behavioral disorders is not known, risk factors have been identified, such
as family history of mental illness or substance abuse, exposure to tobacco or illicit drugs during
fetal development, abuse, stress, lack of supervision, and inconsistent but harsh discipline.
Children with behavioral disorders may have other mental, emotional or behavioral disorders,
such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). There may also be overlap with
developmental delay. Because of this, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends
routine screening for developmental delay as part of routine well-child examinations.
What causes behavioral disorders?
The specific cause of behavioral disorders is not known, but a number of factors may contribute
to their development. Genetics may play a role, as behavioral disorders are more common in
children who have a family history of mental illness or substance abuse. Environment factors,
such as unstable home life, child abuse, lack of supervision, and inconsistent discipline, all
seem to increase the risk of children developing behavioral disorders.
What are the risk factors for behavioral disorders?
A number of factors increase the risk of developing behavioral disorders. Not all people with risk
factors will develop behavioral disorders. Risk factors for behavioral disorders include:
 Child abuse
 Difficulty interpreting the actions or intent of others
 Family history of mental illness or substance abuse
 Fetal exposure to tobacco or illicit drugs
 Inconsistent, harsh discipline
 Lack of supervision
 Male gender
 Parental substance abuse
 Poor social skills
 Stressful home or school environment
 Unstable home life (unsupervised, transient, homelessness)
Reducing your child’s risk of behavioral disorders
A supportive, stable and consistent home environment may be helpful in reducing your child’s
risk of developing behavioral disorders. You may be able to lower your child’s risk of behavioral
disorders by:
 Allowing your child to make concrete but limited decisions, such as choosing between a
white or green shirt
 Developing a clear system of rewards and punishments
 Disciplining selectively based on the severity of the incident
 Getting involved in your child’s activities
 Redirecting your child to a safe and appropriate environment for activities
 Reducing sources of stress at home
 Rewarding appropriate behavior
 Setting clear expectations
References

 https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/behavioral-
disorders#:~:text=in%20social%20situations.-
,Behavioral%20disorders%20involve%20a%20pattern%20of%20disruptive%20behavior
s%20in%20children,Inattention
 https://www.psychguides.com/behavioral-disorders/
 https://www.greaterlowellpsychassoc.com/blog/5-most-common-behavioral-issues
 https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/mental-health-and-behavior/behavioral-
disorders
 https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/behavior.html

III. Activities
Activity One
Answer the following questions briefly. (5 pts each)
1. What do you think is the most effective strategy to reprimand behavioral disorders
among your students? Elucidate your answer.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

2. What will be your first action for any evident signs of behavioral disorder in one of your
students in class?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

3. As a future educator, is there any chance for you to treat the behavioral disorders of your
students? Elaborate your answer.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

4. What could be your role in the lives of your students who are diagnosed with behavioral
disorder?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________