Disciplining Autistic Children (and Other Behavioral Disorders)

There are times when a child's behavior goes farADHD is quite a common problem found in children.
beyond the limits of normal misbehavior. This type ofApproximately 3 to 7 percent of school age children
behavior exceeds the expectations of different stageshave this disorder. About 4 times as many boys are
of normal childhood development. Normal behaviorafflicted than girls. About 50 percent of these children
includes misbehaving according to where a child is inalso have learning disabilities. If a child displays
their stage of behavioral development. Children whocontinuous patterns of behavior including not being able
constantly misbehave and cannot control their impulsesto concentrate, over activity and abnormally impulsive
that causes disruptive behavior have behaviorbehavior; then the parent needs to take the child to a
disorders. Behavior disorders in children are usuallydoctor to have the child tested for this disorder. It can
characterized by very disruptive behavior which isbe controlled with medication and behavior modification.
based on breaking the rules all the time; day in and dayODD or Oppositional Defiant Disorder and CD Conduct
out without concern for consequences.Disorder are neurologically influenced behavioral
All children normally misbehave from time to time.disorders. Children with ODD are difficult day in and
Children with behavioral disorders supersede the normday out. They are like living with someone that has the
of misbehavior. A child that has a behavioral disorderterrible twos twenty four hours a day. Their defiance
can be almost totally impossible to deal with. Theseinterferes with their academics, socialization and
children may start to display signs of behavioraloccupations as they grow. Children with this disorder
disorders as young as 2 or 3 years of age all the waymust have ongoing treatment to deal with this
up to the late teen years into adulthood.condition. In addition to Medication and Behavior
The three main behavior disorders that are commonlymodification they may also need psychiatric
found in children are:treatments. ODD is characterized by an enduring
1. ADHD/Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorderpattern of uncooperative, defiant and hostile behavior
2. Oppositional Defiant Disordertoward authority figures. The child with this disorder
3. Conduct Disorderdisplays for at least six months defiant, hostile, negative
ADHD/Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is abehavior.
group of behavior problems. They interfere with theConduct Disorders usually occur in older children and
daily life of both the child and the parent. This disorderadolescents. This is a more severe form of ODD
is classified into two major types:where the child has no regard for societal rules at all.
1. Those ADHD problems that have to do withA child with this disorder breaks the law without even
concentration and focusblinking an eye as to the consequences. 1% to 4 % of
2. Those ADHD problems associated with impulsive,children between 7 and 17 years of age have this
erratic, active behaviors.problem.
Many children and adults that face ADHD have aIf you suspect your child has any of these conditions
combination of both sets of issues that ADHD comesseek professional help immediately. It's the only way
with. There are those with milder or just one set ofyou can handle these disorders and left untreated they
issues such as trouble concentrating only.can be dangerous to the child or yourself.