4.A young person is said to have a behavior disorder when his or her behavior is noticeably different from that expected in the school or community.This can also be stated in simpler terms as a child who is not doing what adults want him to do at a particular time.Children with this disorder often seem to be behaving in different and socially unacceptable ways.
Like learning disabilities,behavior disorders are hard to diagnose.There are no physical symptoms in the body that are observable or measurable.Behavior disorders are therefore identified by observing behavior patterns in the child over a period of time.If a child displays some of the following behaviors,he may be labeled with a behavior disorder:
◆Aggression and cruelty to people and animals.
◆Destruction of property-defacing or damaging things.
◆Little sympathy and concern for others.
◆Takes no responsibility for behavior.Also lies,cheats and steals easily.
◆Disregards rules and regulations.
In addition to these general symptoms of a behavior disorder,there are other symptoms characteristic of more specific behavior disorders such as ADHD-this is the inattentive,can't-sit-still behavior.The attention can't last long and the behavior is impulsive at times.The child also seems quite distracted and forgetful.
Behavior disorders come from brain injury,child abuse,and shock,etc.There have also been indications that it could be a genetic disorder.The behavior therefore is an involuntary response to these experiences and the child should not be blamed for his behavior.Since the child has problems controlling his behavior,it stands to reason that his performance in school will be affected.A child with a behavior disorder will feel bad about himself and that low self-esteem will be further worsened by the adults around him who do not treat his condition with understanding and willingness to help.
Behavior disorders are best dealt with by behavior and psychological treatments.But,as with learning disabilities,accurate diagnosis is important and this must be over a length of time.It is also important in trying to modify the behavior to be clear about what is the behavior you are expecting.Make sure it is a rational expectation.For example,expecting a three-year-old to sit quietly through a long church service may not be reasonable,or demanding that a six-year-old does extra home work after a long day of school and extra curricular activities may be stretching the child's concentration and attention too far.Since some behavior disorders result from shocking and upsetting life experiences or brain injury,treatments should include helping the child to resolve and heal emotionally from the experience.The behavior could be corrected through emotional healing.In other words,when a human being is emotionally healthy,that is,can be aware of his intelligence and enthusiasm for life and his loving connectedness to other human beings,he automatically"behaves"rationally.
Title:Behaviour Disorders
Passage outline | Supporting (71)details |
Definition of a behaviour disorder | A person may be considered to have a behaviour disorder when he behaves apparently (72)differentlyfrom others. |
Symptoms of a behavior disorder | Being (73)aggressiveand showing no mercy to animals and other people Tending to do damage to things around him Having little sympathy or concern for others Failing to (74)answer for what he has done and not being honest Lacking the awareness of (75)obeying/observing rules and regulations Having difficulty concentrating on something for long |
Factors (76)resulting in behaviour disorders | Some outside forces may lead to a behaviour disorder. A genetic disorde r giving (77)rise/birthto a behaviour disorder has also been found. |
Ways to deal with behaviour disorders | Behaviour treatment:diagnosing such a disorder (78)accuratelyand modifying the disordered behaviour in a rational way. Psychological treatment:attaching importance to improving the patient's emotional (79)health,thus,developing a proper self-esteem. |
Conclusion | A behaviour disorder isn't nearly (80)easyto diagnose from physical symptoms,but it can be dealt with in behaviour and psychological ways. |