A Behavioral Problem in Children
Are you worried about a behavioral problem in children? Child behavior problems present in different ways, and fall into various categories. Some children show externalizing problems, such as acting out, aggressive behaviors, while others show internalizing problems such as anxiety and withdrawal behaviors.
Regardless of how the behavioral problem in children presents, these behaviors are often defensive reactions, which are triggered when the child feels threatened or stressed. The child relies on these behaviors to protect him or herself from a perceived threat or stressor. Many of these children feel threatened or afraid. Their fear and distress triggers these behaviors, often instantaneously with no thought or refection.The child lacks effective coping strategies and/or supports to respond more effectively to stress and/or a perceived threat.
Family Problems Can Contribute to a Behavioral Problem in Children
Numerous stressors can contribute to a behavioral problem in children. This includes family problems, such as high levels of anger and destructive conflict between parents. Children who experience family problems and stress often exhibit child behavior problems. Children of alcoholic parents, for example, are at increased risk of developing child behavior problems.
Find out more about children of alcoholic parents and what you can do to help.
Find out about other risk factors for child behavior problems.
The Acting Out Behavioral Problem in Children
Are you worried about an angry, acting out child? Some children react to upset and stress by externalizing their distress. They act out in an angry, aggressive manner. Acting out behaviors can include oppositional defiant behaviors and refusal to comply with reasonable adult requests. They also include mood swings and extreme emotional outbursts.
A Psychological Assessment can lead to evidence based solutions to help an angry, acting out child.
The With-Drawn, Sad or Anxious Child
Are you worried about a child who seems sad, withdrawn or depressed? A child behavior problem can also include withdrawal, passivity and sad, anxious behaviors. Children who exhibit these behaviors internalize their distress and are often hard to reach. These children may seem unusually shy and timid. They often appear to lack self-esteem and affect.
Find out more about the anxious child. What are the signs and symptoms of anxiety in children? How can you help the anxious child?
The Child with Attention Problems
Are you worried about a child who is distractible and has problems paying attention and concentrating on tasks? What about the child who has ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
Learn more about how to help children with attention problems.
What About Other Child Behavior Problems?
Are you worried about a child's social problems or emotional well being? Do you have concerns about a child's sleep and eating problems? What about child discipline problems?
View a list of our articles about child behavior problems. These articles will help you learn more about these child problems and other concerns about a behavioral problem in children.
Do you wonder if the child problems that concern you require further attention and support. View our article Warning Signs of Child Behavior Problems. This article will help you decide whether your concerns about your child's behavior require further attention or professional support.
Don't ignore the behavioral problem in children that concerns you. Child behavior problems can have a detrimental effect on the child's academic and social functioning, and when untreated they can lead to negative effects for a child throughout his/her life span.
"Understanding the Problem is the Key to Solving It." The psychological assessment increases understanding of the symptoms of child behavior problems that present in a particular child. This understanding leads to evidence based interventions to address these concerns in the young person. A Psychological Assessment can increase understanding of child behavior problems and how to help.