Child Behavior Issues

Children occasionally exhibit challenging or unwanted behaviors as part of their development, but some have continual behavioral problems. If your child’s behavior is exhausting or upsetting, visit Leon Sankofa, Sr., MSW, at Family & Youth Foundations in Hampton and Danville, Virginia. Leon and his team specialize in child behavior issues like conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Call Family & Youth Foundations today or book an appointment online for expert help with your child’s problem behaviors.

What are child behavior issues?

Child behavior issues are ways children and teens behave that cause them social and emotional difficulties. Examples include:

• Disrespect
• Hyperactivity
• Aggressiveness
• Uncontrollable anger
• Risk-taking behavior
• Impulsiveness
• Defiance

These are all normal childhood behaviors in moderation. Most children will have times when they lose their temper, lash out, act without considering the consequences, and refuse to do as they’re told.

These incidents help younger children learn how to behave appropriately. In teenagers, rebellious behaviors are a natural stage in changing from a dependent child to an independent adult.

However, some children repeatedly behave in these ways to the extent that it continually disrupts home and school life. They might have difficulty making and keeping friends and frequently get into trouble at school. They’re often unhappy and frustrated and could turn to substance misuse or criminal behavior.

Why would a child have behavior issues?

Behavior issues are often caused by mental health and developmental disorders, including:

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• Conduct disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)
• Intermittent explosive disorder (IED)
• Anxiety
• Depression

Symptoms of these disorders vary, but children are often irritable, frustrated, and restless. Some get involved in bullying, have frequent extreme temper tantrums, or display verbal or physical aggression.

Difficulties concentrating, regularly arguing with authority figures, refusing to do as they’re asked, and blaming others can also indicate a behavior issue when it happens frequently.

How are behavior issues treated?

The Family & Youth Foundations team specializes in working with children, teens, and their parents or caregivers. They meet with you and the child to assess their problem behaviors and gain insight into the possible causes. Then they create a customized treatment plan built around a strength-based approach.

The idea is to build on the child’s abilities and achievements, using positive messages rather than endless punishments. Depending on their disorder, age, other health problems, and how severely they’re affected, the child’s treatment plan can include:

• Antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication
• Stimulants
• Behavioral therapy
• Hypnotherapy

The Family & Youth Foundations experts have extensive experience helping children and families overcome behavior issues. They can even turn things around for those at risk of being kicked out of their home or foster care because of behavioral problems.

Call Family & Youth Foundations today or book an appointment online to find effective solutions to child behavior issues.