Symptoms often associated with some behavioural disorders
There is no such thing as a 'bad' kid or a 'slow' child. Only children that need help in focusing on their talents and positive characteristics.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder A.D.H.D
Your child's teacher may have approached you because she has noticed that your child:
- Finds it very difficult to settle down.
- Only seems to be able to focus for a short time.
- Cannot wait to be asked when he puts his hand up- he has to blurt out the answer.
- Forgets simple instructions.
- Fidgets a lot.
- Cannot keep still.
This disorder can range from what might be considered a 'naughty' child to a completely unmanageable child which can result in your child being unable to attend a 'normal' school.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder O.D.D.
Common symptoms for the disorder Oppositional Defiant Disorder:
- Is your child easily angered?
- Has frequent temper tantrums?
- Argues frequently with adults inc. parents and teachers?
- Refuses to obey rules?
- Deliberately annoys others?
- Has low self-esteem?
- Gets very frustrated, upset quickly?
- Can cry easily?
- Always blames someone/something else when in trouble?
My Job as a Child Developmental Psychologist and Art Therapist
It is my job to diagnose emotional and behavioural problems, whether it is a known disorder, a transient, or habitual behaviour that can be modified or alleviated.
I use cognitive behavioural therapy, counselling and art therapy - one or all combined to achieve the best possible outcome for the benefit of the child.
There are many diagnosed disorders that may be recognised such as:
- Attention Deficit Hyper-Activity Disorder/ A.D.H.D
- Attention Deficit Disorder/ A.D.D
- Autism
- Aspergers Syndrome/ Pervasive Development Disorder/P.D.D
- Childhood Bi-Polar Disorder
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder/O.D.D
- Conduct Disorder/C.D
Some Common Emotional and Behavioural Problems such as:
- Aggression/ anger management
- Violence to self and others
- Withdrawn/ unsociable
- Trauma due to witnessing violence
- Trauma due to abuse sexual, physical or mental
- Problems due to Parental separation, absence, neglect or death
- Anxious/worried children
- Criminal behaviour - stealing, fighting, illegal drugs/alcohol, early sexual behaviour
There are, however, many other reasons that children display concerning behaviour that can become a habitual in time and which does not mean they necessarily have a disorder.
Many things affect our children at different times and in different ways and this results in all types of behaviour that we as parents find unacceptable and perhaps even embarrassing, especially when out in public or as guests in people's homes.
Children may not feel comfortable enough to talk things out or they still may not know enough about their emotions to be able to express them. Sometimes our children love us so much they do not want to burden us with their problems.
Behaviour and displaying emotions are our indicators, as parents, teachers and care-givers we need to recognise and understand these cues because they are letting us know when something is wrong, different or a concern.
We don't always know exactly what causes these different behaviours or why. It may not be for the reasons we assume, and our children keep telling us they are fine, nothing is wrong- but clearly something is.
Taking your child to see a child psychologist tells me that you take your role as parent very seriously and you care enough to seek assistance.It is important to 'nip certain behaviours in the bud.' When you find yourself a bit out of your depth and you would welcome some caring professional advice for the most important people in your life, give me a call.
When our child is hurting on the outside we take them to see a doctor so when our child is hurting on the inside we need to take them to see a child psychologist.
All the time you may have convinced yourself that your son/daughter was just plain naughty and disobedient and in public you were made to feel like a 'bad' parent or that you have no control over your children.
WRONG! It is impossible to know how to effectively deal with behaviour if you are not sure what the cause is. Get some much needed insight and help and give a me call.
Is there a cure to these types of disorders?
There are no cures for these disorders but with specific treatment, such as cognitive therapy and skills taught to parents they are eventually easy to cope with, live with and manage day-to-day. We need to bring as much happiness back into the stressful lives that having a child with an undiagnosed behaviour issue often gives us.