How to Identify Conduct Disorder in Children

All children display oppositional or aggressive behavior from time to time, especially when they are upset, tired, or hungry. Oppositional behavior, such as arguing, lying, and disobeying, is a normal part of development for toddlers and early adolescents. When this behavior is frequent or excessive, affects the child’s home or school life, or violates the rights of others, a conduct disorder may be present.Conduct disorder is the most severe psychiatric disorder in childhood, and occurs more frequently in boys than in girls. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the disorder affects an estimated 1-4 percent of adolescents between the ages of 9 and 17 years. Children with this disorder repeatedly violate the rights of others, and display aggressive, destructive, and deceitful behavior. Identifying the signs and symptoms of conduct disorder, and beginning treatment as early in life as possible, is essential in order to prevent the disorder and prognosis from worsening.

Instructions

How to Identify Conduct Disorder in Children

• 1

  Learn about the risk factors for developing conduct disorder, such as having a parent with a mood disorder, ADHD, substance abuse disorder, or conduct disorder. A history of abuse or neglect, exposure to violence, inconsistent or excessively harsh discipline, poverty, and overcrowded living conditions are other risk factors for conduct disorder.

• 2

  Take note of any aggressive behavior, such as bullying, threatening, or intimidating others. Children with conduct disorder often initiate both verbal and physical fights, and have a history of violence and cruelty toward people and animals. More serious signs of aggressive behavior include the use of weapons and a history of sexual assault.

• 3

  Consider whether prior destructive acts were intentional or unintentional. While all children have the potential to damage property due to carelessness or reckless play, children with conduct disorder deliberately cause damage to the property of others.

• 4

  Watch carefully for other signs of conduct disorder, such as lying, theft, truancy, substance abuse, serious rule violations, and precocious sexual activity. Children with this disorder may also experience symptoms of depression, have poor relationships with family members and peers, and experience significant academic difficulties.

• 5

  Speak with your child’s teacher to get her opinion, and discuss your child’s symptoms with a mental health professional who specializes in disorders of childhood. Read all you can about the symptoms of conduct disorder so that you are better able to identify the symptoms in your child.