Children of all ages can behave disruptively or challenge their parents in a variety of ways. While some disruptive behavior is expected in typical development, behaviors that are intense, frequent and last for a while need to be assessed by a specialist.
Specialists at Riley Children’s Health diagnose and treat young and school-aged children with disruptive behavior, like aggression, tantrums or being intentionally uncooperative.
Disruptive behavior happens for many reasons and can cause significant stress and challenges for your child and your family. While disruptive behavior sometimes occurs without any other diagnoses, it often occurs alongside other conditions, including developmental disorders like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder, and mental health disorders like anxiety, depression and trauma.
Disruptive behavior can show up in several ways:
- Verbal aggression, such as yelling or screaming
- Being uncooperative or argumentative, such as not following instructions at home or school
- Physical aggression, such as hitting, kicking, biting or pulling hair
- Destroying things, such as throwing or breaking toys
- Other “meltdown” behaviors, like flopping to the ground
- Self-harming behavior, like banging their head on a wall
Assessment
If you notice concerning, disruptive behavior in your child, your doctor can refer you to Riley Children’s Health. Our physicians, advanced practice providers (like nurses and physician assistants) or psychologists will meet with you to evaluate your child so we can better understand your child’s behavior patterns. During the evaluation, the provider will gather information about your child’s development over time and how your child interacts with others. The provider will also observe your child’s behavior throughout the appointment.
As the caregiver, you may be asked to fill out questionnaires or checklists. Our care team may ask you to bring your child back for a follow-up appointment so we can complete psychological testing, speech testing or a medical examination.
Treatments
Treatments
With personalized and consistent support, you can help your child cut back on how often they experience disruptive behaviors. Your child’s provider may suggest one or more of the following treatment options:
- Behavior therapy. This therapy helps your child identify their emotions, what triggers their emotions and ways to cope. For this type of therapy to be effective, all caregivers—including those at school and home—need to reinforce the strategies discussed in therapy, especially when your child becomes upset. A provider will help you develop a behavior program and teach you how to implement it to support your child.
- Parent or caregiver training. This training is important to provide you with the tools to manage your child’s challenging behavior. One example of parent training is called Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT).
If you and your child consistently and actively participate in this treatment, it has the potential to improve the quality of life for your child and your family.
Support Services & Resources
Support Services & Resources
Visit the websites below to learn more about disruptive behavior disorders and find help.
We offer a broad range of supportive services to make life better for families who choose us for their children's care.
HealthyChildren.org, a website from the American Academy of Pediatrics, includes in-depth information about disruptive behavior disorders and other emotional problems.
NIMH provides health topics and resources focusing on a variety of mental health topics.
Child Mind Institute provides guidance and resources to help navigate the challenges of parenting a child with mental health or learning disabilities.
Our Safety Store sells over 150 safety products, including car seats, locking medicine boxes, medical ID bracelets, door alarms, and specialized safety kits for autism and developmental disabilities. The Safety Store also offers a Helpline to answer your safety questions.
INAAP’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CARE) Program connects Indiana families to the pediatric mental health services they need, including a CARE Line to identify and address barriers to mental health services.
Child Mind Institute provides guidance and resources to help you navigate the challenges of parenting a child with mental health or learning disabilities.
This article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlines research on the most effective treatment options for disruptive behavior.
PCIT International supports parents with resources about this therapy and a global database of PCIT therapists to help you find a therapist for your child.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed extensive research and spoke with experts to identify the best approaches to parenting and created articles, videos and activities parents and caregivers can use.
Locations
Locations
Locations
In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.