Behavioral problems in children can range from mild mischievousness to serious misconduct that can interfere with normal development. Children and adolescents with extreme behavioral problems, more than typical childhood misbehavior, should be evaluated by their physician for oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or conduct disorder (CD). These disorders typically involve hostile behavior, aggression toward people and/or animals, refusal to follow rules, and anger lasting for at least six months. Often times, these can occur concurrently with other diagnoses such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety disorders, depression, and bipolar disorder. One of the most common comorbidities in those diagnosed with CD is ADHD. Once these disorders are formally diagnosed, parents and their children are faced with a number of treatment options from behavior therapy to medications. Although they may be confusing at first, knowing what to expect can help improve your decisions and experience while treating these conditions. It has been shown that behavior therapy and psychotherapy for the individual diagnosed with ODD or CD as well as the family can help improve these disorders, but oftentimes behavioral therapy is challenging due to the child's inability to be cooperative. Studies show that when behavioral therapy is not enough, medication can have an integral role in treatment as add-on therapy. Although there are no medications that have been approved by the FDA for use in ODD or CD, a number of medications have been studied and may be appropriate to treat certain symptoms associated with these disorders, such as depression,...

For serious child behavior issues, behavior therapy plus meds can aid when therapy alone fails.

Behavioral Problems and Medication in Kids

Behavioral problems in children can range from mild mischievousness to serious misconduct that can interfere with normal development. Children and adolescents with extreme behavioral problems, more than typical childhood misbehavior, should be evaluated by their physician for oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or conduct disorder (CD). These disorders typically involve hostile behavior, aggression toward people and/or animals, refusal to follow rules, and anger lasting for at least six months. Often times, these can occur concurrently with other diagnoses such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety disorders, depression, and bipolar disorder. One of the most common comorbidities in those diagnosed with CD is ADHD. Once these disorders are formally diagnosed, parents and their children are faced with a number of treatment options from behavior therapy to medications. Although they may be confusing at first, knowing what to expect can help improve your decisions and experience while treating these conditions.  It has been shown that behavior therapy and psychotherapy for the individual diagnosed with ODD or CD as well as the family can help improve these disorders, but oftentimes behavioral therapy is challenging due to the child's inability to be cooperative. Studies show that when behavioral therapy is not enough, medication can have an integral role in treatment as add-on therapy. Although there are no medications that have been approved by the FDA for use in ODD or CD, a number of medications have been studied and may be appropriate to treat certain symptoms associated with these disorders, such as depression,...

The board game sat on the shelf for eight months before you tried it. Your son struggles with turn-taking, your daughter melts down when she loses, and the idea of structured play that ends in tears felt like volunteering for failure. Then one Saturday you opened Outfoxed, a cooperative mystery game, and watched your kids work together to catch the fox for 45 minutes without a single meltdown. That's not luck. That's the right game meeting the right needs. Board games build social skills, turn-taking, emotional regulation, and flexible thinking: all the things occupational therapists target in expensive sessions. But most parents don't know which games work for which disabilities, how to modify the ones collecting dust in the closet, or why cooperative formats matter more than you'd think for kids who struggle with competition. Here's what works, organized by what your child needs most. Why Board Games Work for Therapeutic Goals. Research consistently shows that structured play develops skills that transfer beyond the game. Board games create low-pressure social practice: you take turns, read social cues, manage frustration when the dice don't cooperate, and celebrate wins without making someone else feel terrible. For kids with autism, board games provide clear rules and predictable structure, the social equivalent of a marked path through unfamiliar territory. For kids with ADHD, they build working memory and impulse control in 15-minute increments that feel like play, not work. For kids with intellectual disabilities, they teach sequencing, color and number recognition, and cause-and-effect reasoning...

Which board games work for autism, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities, plus how to modify the ones you already own.

Board Games That Build Skills: A Parent's Guide to Therapeutic Tabletop Play

The board game sat on the shelf for eight months before you tried it. Your son struggles with turn-taking, your daughter melts down when she loses, and the idea of structured play that ends in tears felt like volunteering for failure. Then one Saturday you opened Outfoxed, a cooperative mystery game, and watched your kids work together to catch the fox for 45 minutes without a single meltdown. That's not luck. That's the right game meeting the right needs. Board games build social skills, turn-taking, emotional regulation, and flexible thinking: all the things occupational therapists target in expensive sessions. But most parents don't know which games work for which disabilities, how to modify the ones collecting dust in the closet, or why cooperative formats matter more than you'd think for kids who struggle with competition. Here's what works, organized by what your child needs most. Why Board Games Work for Therapeutic Goals. Research consistently shows that structured play develops skills that transfer beyond the game. Board games create low-pressure social practice: you take turns, read social cues, manage frustration when the dice don't cooperate, and celebrate wins without making someone else feel terrible. For kids with autism, board games provide clear rules and predictable structure, the social equivalent of a marked path through unfamiliar territory. For kids with ADHD, they build working memory and impulse control in 15-minute increments that feel like play, not work. For kids with intellectual disabilities, they teach sequencing, color and number recognition, and cause-and-effect reasoning...

Developmental pediatricians are doctors who specialize in children with developmental or behavioral concerns, or specific developmental disabilities. Developmental pediatricians may provide a "developmental assessment" to help parents understand their child's challenges, and to provide guidance for a treatment plan. In addition, a developmental pediatrician may help you understand the unique individual differences of your child. When a child has a developmental delay or disability, there are usually several different therapists, teachers, and doctors involved. Often the parent must be the person to coordinate and integrate all of the intervention ideas. Developmental pediatricians may help parents balance priorities for treatment and serve as a team leader among various therapists, or as a consultant to the team. Parents often seek out information and may find multiple opinions about what is best for their child. Developmental pediatricians are often involved in research or training, so they may be valuable resources for information and guidance. Developmental pediatricians are able to take the perspective of the whole child: seeing how health, sleep, diet, motor, cognitive, language, and social-emotional development interact.A developmental perspective means appreciating how all aspects of a child contribute to a child's ability to function in his or her daily life at home and school. The critical elements of a developmental perspective are the child's gradually increasing ability to share attention, be curious, engage in warm relationships, initiate and respond in purposeful interactions, problem solve with others, be creative, spontaneous, flexible, and reflective thinkers—not only when feeling happy and cooperative, but also...

Developmental pediatricians specialize in assessing and treating children with developmental issues, guiding therapy and coordination.

Do You Need a Developmental Pediatrician?

 Developmental pediatricians are doctors who specialize in children with developmental or behavioral concerns, or specific developmental disabilities. Developmental pediatricians may provide a "developmental assessment" to help parents understand their child's challenges, and to provide guidance for a treatment plan. In addition, a developmental pediatrician may help you understand the unique individual differences of your child. When a child has a developmental delay or disability, there are usually several different therapists, teachers, and doctors involved. Often the parent must be the person to coordinate and integrate all of the intervention ideas. Developmental pediatricians may help parents balance priorities for treatment and serve as a team leader among various therapists, or as a consultant to the team. Parents often seek out information and may find multiple opinions about what is best for their child. Developmental pediatricians are often involved in research or training, so they may be valuable resources for information and guidance. Developmental pediatricians are able to take the perspective of the whole child: seeing how health, sleep, diet, motor, cognitive, language, and social-emotional development interact.A developmental perspective means appreciating how all aspects of a child contribute to a child's ability to function in his or her daily life at home and school. The critical elements of a developmental perspective are the child's gradually increasing ability to share attention, be curious, engage in warm relationships, initiate and respond in purposeful interactions, problem solve with others, be creative, spontaneous, flexible, and reflective thinkers—not only when feeling happy and cooperative, but also...

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Special Needs
Articles

Behavioral Problems and Medication in Kids

Board Games That Build Skills: A Parent's Guide to Therapeutic Tabletop Play

Do You Need a Developmental Pediatrician?

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs Articles

Behavioral Problems and Medication in Kids

Board Games That Build Skills: A Parent's Guide to Therapeutic Tabletop Play

Do You Need a Developmental Pediatrician?

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs
Articles