Learn more about disruptive behavior disorders and how they may be affecting your child’s ability to learn and grow. Explore practical strategies to help them overcome and manage behavior challenges so they can thrive in school and beyond.
As a parent, it can be frustrating to see disruptive behavior stand in the way of your child’s learning, relationships, and overall happiness.
Even though behavior challenges look different for every child, some struggle with impulsiveness or emotional outbursts, while others may act aggressively toward peers, siblings, or adults. These behaviors often lead to frequent phone calls from school, leaving parents feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to truly help their child.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many parents face the same challenges and feel helpless because they have no idea why their child behaves this way or how to support them.
But here’s the good news: you can make a big difference in your child’s life.
Parents play a crucial role in helping children with disruptive behavior challenges learn to manage their emotions, make better choices, and build positive relationships. Your support lays the foundation for positive change in your child’s behavior and life.
However, even when you are doing everything you can, some children will still need extra support, and that’s okay.
You are not alone in this journey, and seeking professional help, alongside your efforts at home, can be transformative for your child.
At Education Alternatives in Ohio, we understand how challenging disruptive behavior disorders can be. That’s why we partner with parents to give students the specialized support they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond.
We also help parents understand what is going on beneath the surface so they can become strong allies and advocates for their children. Together, we can help your child succeed.
This blog explores disruptive behavior disorders, what may cause them, and how to recognize the symptoms. We will also discuss the critical role parents and outside professional support play in their treatment, and why finding the right school environment can make all the difference for your child’s success.
What are disruptive behavior disorders?
Disruptive behavior disorders are conditions that impact your child’s ability to regulate their emotions and behavior in a healthy way.
While it’s normal for kids to test limits, throw tantrums, or break rules as they grow and learn, these behaviors usually improve over time and with the right guidance.
However, children with disruptive behavior disorders may struggle with persistent and more severe challenges that interfere with their daily lives, both at home and in school.
Disruptive behavior disorders are typically broken down into two main categories:
- Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD): Children with ODD have trouble controlling anger or other negative emotions. They may argue constantly, refuse to follow rules, or lose their temper more quickly than their peers.
- Conduct disorder (CD): Children with CD also show defiant behavior, but they may also act out in more serious ways, like aggression towards others or rule-breaking that leads to dangerous situations.
What are the symptoms of a disruptive behavior disorder?
While every child is different, there are certain signs to look out for that can help you understand if your child may need extra support.
Common symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder:
- Emotional dysregulation
- Refusing to follow rules
- Upsetting others intentionally
- Blaming and seeking revenge
Common symptoms of conduct disorder:
- Aggressive behavior
- Serious rule-breaking
- Destructive actions
- Lack of empathy
Could your child’s behavior be potentially dangerous to themselves, your family, or others?
Some children with more severe disruptive behavior disorders will act in ways that put themselves or others at risk.
If your child is showing any of the signs below, it’s essential to take it seriously and get help from a professional immediately.
Signs of potentially dangerous behavior:
- Physical aggression: If your child is kicking, hitting, biting, or throwing things when upset, this could be a sign they’re struggling to control their emotions and may hurt someone or break things.
- Running away: If your child suddenly runs out of the classroom or home, it could be dangerous, especially if they’re in an unfamiliar place or upset.
- Self-harm: Some children may hurt themselves by scratching or banging their heads as a way to cope with frustration or negative emotions.
- Extreme emotional outbursts: Children who are seriously struggling to regulate emotions may have huge temper tantrums, scream, or break things when upset.
If your child shows any of these signs, it’s important to talk to a mental health professional or behavior therapist as soon as possible. They can help you make a plan to keep your child safe and teach them better ways to manage their emotions.
What causes disruptive behavior?
Disruptive behavior disorders are complicated and can develop for many reasons. It’s important not to blame yourself or them and to know that help is available.
Common causes include:
- Genetics: Having a family history of behavioral or mental health conditions may predispose children to disruptive behavior disorders.
- Brain development: Neurodevelopmental conditions, like autism, cause the brain to develop and process information differently, making it more challenging to understand and react to emotions.
- Environment: Children are heavily influenced by their surroundings. That’s why exposure to stress or trauma, as well as lack of structure, can contribute to behavior challenges.
- Co-occurring conditions: Many children with disruptive behavior disorders also have other conditions like ADHD, anxiety, or autism that can affect how they behave. Treating these conditions can sometimes improve behavior.
- Emotional disturbance: This refers to a variety of mental health conditions that may be affecting the way a child behaves and interacts with others.
Understanding what might be causing your child’s disruptive behavior can help you determine the best ways to support them at home and school.
For example, if your child is on the autism spectrum, their behavior challenges may come from emotional dysregulation (not being able to fully understand and react to emotions). In this case, working with your child’s school and other professionals can help create a space where they can better manage their feelings.
In other cases, it can be harder to pinpoint exactly why the behavior is happening. That’s why the first and most important step you can take as a parent is to have your child evaluated by a professional trained in child behavior and development.
Once this expert has gathered and assessed all relevant information about your child’s behavior, they will meet with you to discuss the diagnosis and treatment options.
Keep reading to find out what treatment for disruptive behavior disorders is like and what role you should play in your child’s treatment.
How do you treat and manage disruptive behavior disorders?
This is likely the most important question on your mind: How can you help your child?
While every child is different, addressing disruptive behavior generally involves two key approaches:
- Strategies that parents can use to support their child at home
- Professional support
Let’s break them down.
1. Actions parents can take at home
The strategies we recommend implementing at home depend on what kind of disruptive behavior disorder your child has.
For children with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), we recommend:
- Setting clear expectations: Be consistent with rules and consequences so your child knows what to expect.
- Using positive reinforcement: Praise and reward good behavior instead of only focusing on negative actions. Remember, specific and proactive praise works best!
- Staying calm: This one can be tricky, but your child learns from you. By staying calm, you teach them how to manage their emotions.
- Working with teachers and therapists: A team approach between home, school, and mental health professionals can make a significant impact on your child’s well-being.
The tips listed above are also beneficial for children with conduct disorder (CD), but this more serious condition also requires:
- Getting help early: The sooner you get your child professional help, the better chance you have to reduce the risk of negative outcomes for your child.
- Specialized support: Therapy or structured programs that can help your child develop coping skills and self-control.
- Providing supervision and structure: Clear routines and predictable consequences help children with conduct disorders feel more secure.
2. Finding the right professional help
While these strategies can help improve your child’s behavior, many children also need professional support beyond what you can provide at home.
That is okay; you don’t have to go through this journey alone.
Finding the right team of experts to support your child and help guide you through this process is crucial for lasting progress.
Here are some options to consider when seeking out professional help:
- Therapy: Therapists can teach your child skills to manage their emotions and interact with others in a healthier way.
- Alternative education: Specialized schools can offer your child the individual support they need to successfully meet their behavior goals. (See below for more reasons why your child’s school environment is essential to their treatment.)
- Parent training programs: Attending these programs can help you learn techniques to manage challenging behavior more effectively.
- Psychiatric care: In some cases, children may need medication, alongside therapy, to make a real difference in their behavior.
With the proper professional support, your child can make giant leaps toward managing their behavior and developing healthier habits. It is a journey, but with the right team and strategies, you are on the right track for positive change.
Now, let’s explore why your child’s school environment plays a key role in their progress.
Why the right school environment matters for disruptive behavior
While the work you do at home and the support of outside professionals is significant, all of that effort won’t be as effective without the right school environment.
Unfortunately, many traditional public schools don’t have the proper support for students with disruptive behavior disorders. Instead of getting the help they need, these children are often labeled as “troublemakers” and continue to struggle.
At Education Alternatives, we believe every child deserves a chance to succeed, regardless of their behavioral challenges.
With our team of experts who genuinely understand disruptive behavior disorders, students can learn and grow in a safe, judgment-free space. Here at EA, they are nurtured, supported, and given the right tools to manage their emotions and improve their behavior.
How EA Schools supports students with disruptive behavior disorders:
- Small class sizes: With more one-on-one support, we can work closely with students to target specific behaviors and meet their goals.
- Therapeutic support: On-site therapists work with our students in our specialized programs to learn coping mechanisms and healthier ways to interact with others.
- Structured environment: The clear expectations and routine set by our staff reduce the stress and frustration that students may have experienced in other schools.
- Unconditional positive regard: This is our school’s philosophy, which means we show unconditional care and acceptance towards every member of our community regardless of how they behave.
- Working with families: We work closely with parents to make sure students receive the care and support they need in every aspect of their lives.
Final thoughts: be the ally your child needs
If your child is struggling at home or school because of disruptive behavior, the strategies in this blog can help you support them.
But sometimes, all the possible support you can give at home isn’t enough. Your child needs a team of caring teachers and mental health professionals who truly understand their challenges and want to help them overcome disruptive behavior.
If your child’s current school isn’t giving them the essential support they need, it may be time to make a change.
Education Alternatives could be the solution you’ve been looking for. We help children in grades K-12 with disruptive behavior disorders learn how to manage their emotions, improve their behavior, and succeed in school and beyond.
If you’re an Ohio parent and your child is struggling with disruptive behavior at school, contact us today!
Our team is happy to answer any questions about our specialized programs and help you explore the best options for your child’s future.
Did you find this article helpful? Check out our other blogs to learn more about alternative education and find valuable resources for your family!