Temper tantrums, acting out, mood changes, defiance and more
Children’s behaviour problems
Behavioural problems in children can be challenging for both the child and their family, impacting daily life, relationships, and self esteem. Children learn about their emotions as they grow, and while occasional defiance or mood swings are common, persistent or disruptive behaviours may indicate a need for more concern. When kids frequently act out at school or home, exhibit oppositional behaviour, or struggle with temper tantrums, it can create stress within the family and affect the development of emotion regulation skills.
Childhood behaviour problems can manifest in various ways, from mood changes and sadness to irritability and frequent anger episodes. These patterns, if left unaddressed, may have lasting effects on a child’s mental health, self-esteem, and social interactions.
By working with a children’s behavioural psychologist, parents can gain valuable insights into their child’s behaviour, learn effective strategies for managing these challenges, and foster a supportive environment for their child’s growth and well-being.
Common behaviour problems in children
Children can display a range of behavioural difficulties and you might notice that your child is struggling with only one difficulty or multiple difficulties. Some common problem behaviours that parents and caregivers may notice are:
Acting out at school or home
Disruptive behaviour that often includes defiance, breaking rules, and angry and emotional outbursts, affecting both school and home environments.
Oppositional behaviour
Persistent defiance towards parents, teachers and sports coaches, characterised by arguing, refusing requests, and a general unwillingness to cooperate.
Temper tantrums
Emotional outbursts that go beyond what is typical for a child’s age, often involving intense crying, yelling, and physical reactions.
Mood changes
Unexplained and frequent mood shifts, which may interfere with daily interactions and cause confusion for caregivers.
Sadness
Prolonged or frequent feelings of sadness that can reduce a child’s motivation and engagement in activities they once enjoyed.
Irritability
Being easily frustrated or annoyed, leading to frequent conflicts with peers, family, and teachers.
Anger episodes
Recurring bouts of anger that may seem excessive relative to the situation, impacting relationships and the child’s emotional health.
Being controlling of others and inflexible
Struggling to manage change or other’s contributions to interactions. Having difficulty with negotiating and seeing another person’s perspective.
Understanding the reason for behavioural difficulties
It can be confusing when a child is experiencing behaviour difficulties. Child Psychologists conduct a comprehensive assessment to understand the underlying reasons for why a child is having difficulties so that treatment and support includes helping you understand your child and feel equipped to help.
Sometimes persistent and frequent difficulties will be a symptom of a developmental disorder, one of many symptoms of a condition or a reaction to circumstances. When many symptoms are present a clinical assessment will help to consider or exclude the following conditions:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Children with ADHD (or inattentive subtype) often exhibit impulsive behaviour, difficulty paying attention, and a tendency to act out at school or home. This can relate to difficulties with initiating tasks, sustaining attention, planning and organising their behaviour particularly within unpredictable, stressful and distracting environments.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
ODD can be considered a description of a child’s behaviour, but it does not explain the reasons and causes for a child’s behaviour. Clinical Child Psychologists are very cautious about this diagnosis. Instead, Clinical Child Psychologists will focus upon understanding your child’s needs, developmental and thinking skills, your family environment and the school environment to explain your child’s difficulties.
Anxiety disorders
Children experiencing high levels of anxiety may display mood changes, irritability, and a tendency to withdraw socially, as their fears and worries impact daily functioning.
Depression
Depression in children may present as sadness, irritability, and anger episodes. They may seem unmotivated or detached from activities and people around them.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Children with ASD often have difficulty adjusting to changes and may find it difficult to manage some social and environmental interactions. Sometimes the difficulties related to ASD can lead to frustration, anger and emotional upsets as well as defiance. A new term: Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) has been written about in the ASD popular literature as a subtype of ASD. Currently, it is not an established diagnosis. Your Clinical Child Psychologist can discuss with you if you have questions and concerns about PDA and what this might mean.
Treatment for behavioural issues in children
A range of treatment options is available to address behavioural issues in children. The choice of treatment depends on the specific behaviour, the child’s age, and the underlying causes. Here are some common approaches:
Parenting sessions
These sessions will focus upon understanding the underlying reasons for behaviour difficulties, build reasonable expectations for your child’s developmental stage, and develop strategies to respond to behaviour. The focus will be upon emotional regulation and connection to foster agreeability, cooperation and building competence and self-esteem in your child.
Behavioural therapy
Parenting programs such as Triple P Parenting focuses upon behavioural therapy principles. This form of therapy helps children develop positive behaviours through rewards, reinforcement, and practice.
Play therapy
Especially beneficial for younger children, play therapy allows them to express emotions and explore their feelings in a non-verbal, engaging way.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is an evidence-based treatment that guides children in identifying and managing the thoughts and feelings that contribute to their behaviours. This approach is particularly effective for issues like anxiety, sadness, and anger episodes.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
In PCIT, the therapist works with both the child and the parent, helping to improve communication, reduce oppositional behaviour, and create a more positive dynamic at home.
Family therapy
Family therapy can help address any relational dynamics that may contribute to problem behaviour, promoting healthier interactions and improving the family’s overall well-being.
Social skills training
This type of training helps children develop skills in social communication and building relationships, especially valuable for kids who struggle with social interactions.
School-based interventions
Your Child Psychologist may contact the school to develop strategies and an overall plan to manage behaviour and increase positive behaviours and experiences for your child.
Medication
In some cases, medication may be used to manage symptoms of disorders like ADHD, anxiety, or depression. This is typically combined with other therapeutic interventions. It will be best to discuss any medications with your General Practitioner, Paediatrician or Child Psychiatrist.
Common questions parents ask about childhood behavioural difficulties
Why does my child have behavioural problems?
Behavioural issues can stem from a mix of factors, including temperament, family dynamics, and life stressors. Children may also act out in response to different developmental stages, changes at home and school, trauma, or due to difficulties related to developmental disorders. Often, it’s a combination of genetics and environment. A calm approach to understanding their behaviour helps to create a supportive space and identify underlying causes without assigning blame.
How can I help my child improve their behaviour?
Begin with a goal of helping your child regulate their emotions with a soothing calming approach. If your child is feeling connected with you then they are more likely to be agreeable to the plans for the day. Meeting your child’s emotional needs also includes following through with clear and predictable boundaries and limits. Parenting expectations will differ between families, but safety and physical health is a great beginning. There are many strategies within a clear treatment framework that we discuss in parenting sessions that help you to feel equipped to manage all the ups and downs.
Will my child just grow out of their behavioural issues?
Outbursts and lashing out are a typical expression of anger. We all feel overwhelmed at times and it can take lots of practice to learn how to soothe disappointments and manage frustrations. Children need this practice with their parents, caregivers and peers as they begin to learn what works in navigating social interactions. We can expect emotional regulation difficulties to arise in response to change and transition for many children and once they have managed that change well then they feel more secure and settled. However, if behaviour problems stem from underlying issues and persist, they might need support to navigate challenges and develop coping skills. By providing a positive environment and, if necessary, professional guidance, children are more likely to build the resilience and emotional regulation needed for long-term positive behaviour.
When should I seek expert help for my child’s behaviour?
If your child’s behaviour disrupts family life, schooling, or their social interactions, it may be time to consider seeking help. This is especially true if behaviour persists over months or escalates in intensity. Child psychologists can help to support you and early intervention can provide lasting benefits and ease family stress.
Your treatment options for child behaviour problems in Melbourne
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