| Behavioural disorders: How to help your child at home | 2001.00000000000 | Behavioural disorders: How to help your child at home | Behavioural disorders: How to help your child at home | B | English | Psychiatry | Preschooler (2-4 years);School age child (5-8 years);Pre-teen (9-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | NA | NA | Non-drug treatment | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | NA | | 2017-06-20T04:00:00Z | | Alice Charach, MD, MSc, FRCPC | | | | 11.3000000000000 | 44.8000000000000 | 552.000000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Procedure | Health A-Z | <p>Learn how to manage your child's difficult behaviour.</p> | <p>A healthy parent-child relationship is the starting point for managing any behavioural difficulties. The main features of a healthy relationship include:</p><ul><li>maintaining a positive nurturing relationship with your child</li><li>providing consistent rules and expectations</li><li>knowing what your child likes to do and with whom they spend their time</li></ul><p>It is important to have these firmly in place before you introduce anything to manage any problematic behaviour.</p> | | <h2>Key points</h2>
<ul>
<li>A healthy parent/child relationship is positive and nurturing, includes consistent rules and expectations and is based on knowing what a child likes to do and with whom they spend their time.</li>
<li>If your child shows signs of a possible behavioural disorder, try some behaviour modification strategies. These approaches are intended to change your child’s behaviour over time.</li>
<li>Behaviour modification strategies include setting clear and consistent rules, expectations and consequences, explaining your values, understanding your child’s point of view and praising positive behaviour.</li>
<li>If your child’s behaviour does not improve, consider seeing your child’s doctor and, if needed, seek support for your own wellbeing.</li>
</ul> | | | | | | | | <h2>What can I do when my child continues to misbehave when I offer support and set clear rules?</h2>
<p>If your child continues to display the <a href="/Article?contentid=1925&language=English">signs of a possible behavioural disorder</a>, you can try a number of behaviour modification strategies to manage the situation.</p>
<h3>Be clear about rules and expectations </h3>
<p>Explain rules simply and directly so that your child or teen fully understands what is expected of them. This might mean using fewer words to justify your reasoning than you are used to.</p>
<h3>Apply rules and expectations consistently</h3>
<p>Children and teens are experts in finding inconsistencies. Make sure that the same plan is followed by all caregivers and teachers who have regular contact with your child.</p>
<h3>Be clear about the values and expectations that are important to you</h3>
<p>Have clear boundaries between behaviour that you can temporarily ignore and behaviour that you will not tolerate. For instance, sometimes it is okay to temporarily overlook poor behaviour if it is not harmful, dangerous or against family values. </p>
<h3>Understand your child’s point of view</h3>
<p>Often you can resolve challenging issues by carefully listening to your child’s opinions and having a calm conversation with them about some rules and expectations.</p>
<h3>Catch your child behaving well</h3>
<p>Notice and praise behaviours that you want to encourage. Some children can particularly benefit from a reward system to emphasize success.</p>
<h3>Try to avoid power struggles</h3>
<p>Instead of having a battle of wills, lay out the consequences for your child's positive or negative choices. For instance, you might warn your child that they cannot see their friend after dinner if they do not finish their homework. </p>
<h3>Look after yourself</h3>
<p>Dealing with any child can be frustrating and tiring. Make a point of taking breaks and finding support.</p>
<h3>See your child’s doctor</h3>
<p>If your child’s behaviour does not improve with these strategies at home, consider seeing your child’s doctor for an assessment. The doctor may refer you for specialized treatment such as parent training, or may recommend <a href="/Article?contentid=2000&language=English">therapy or medications</a> for your child or teen.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <h2>Further information</h2>
<p>For more information on behavioural disorders, please see the following pages:</p>
<p><a href="/Article?contentid=1924&language=English">Behavioural disorders: Overview</a></p>
<p><a href="/Article?contentid=1925&language=English">Behavioural disorders: Signs and symptoms</a></p>
<p><a href="/Article?contentid=2000&language=English">Behavioural disorders: Treatment with psychotherapy and medications</a></p> | | | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/PST_MH_Behavioural_Help.jpg | | | | | | | Behavioural disorders: How to help your child at home | | False | | | | | |
