On This Page


All young children can be naughty, defiant and impulsive from time to time, which is perfectly normal.

However, some children have extremely difficult and challenging behaviours that are outside the norm for their age. The most common disruptive behaviour disorders include oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD) and.

These three behavioural disorders share some common symptoms, so diagnosis can be difficult and time consuming. A child or adolescent may have two disorders at the same time. Other exacerbating factors can include emotional problems, mood disorders, family difficulties and substance abuse.

Around one in 10 children under the age of 12 years are thought to have oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), with boys outnumbering girls by two to one. Some of the typical behaviours of a child with ODD include:

  • argues frequently with adults
  • particularly the most familiar adults in their lives
  • such as parents seeks to blame others for any misfortunes or misdeeds

Children with conduct disorder (CD) are often judged as ‘bad kids’ because of their delinquent behaviour and refusal to accept rules.

Around 5 per cent of 10 year olds are thought to have CD, with boys outnumbering girls by 4 to one. Around one-third of children with CD also have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Some of the typical behaviours of a child with CD may include:

  • being aggressive to animals
  • other people or showing sadistic behaviours including bullying
  • physical or sexual abuse criminal behaviour such as stealing
  • deliberately lighting fires breaking into houses vandalism suicidal tendencies – although these are more rare

Around 2 to 5 per cent of children are thought to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with boys outnumbering girls by three to one. The characteristics of ADHD can include:

  • difficulty concentrating forgetting instructions moving from one task to another without completing anything. – talking over the top of others
  • having a ‘short fuse’
  • being accident-prone

– constant restlessness and fidgeting. The causes of ODD, CD and ADHD are unknown but some of the risk factors include: – boys are much more likely than girls to suffer from behavioural disorders. It is unclear if the cause is genetic or linked to socialisation experiences.

For example, a child is at increased risk in families where domestic violence, poverty, poor parenting skills or substance abuse are a problem. – problems with reading and writing are often associated with behaviour problems. – children with intellectual disabilities are twice as likely to have behavioural disorders.

– studies have shown that areas of the brain that control attention appear to be less active in children with ADHD. Disruptive behavioural disorders are complicated and may include many different factors working in combination.

For example, a child who exhibits the delinquent behaviours of CD may also have ADHD, , and a difficult home life.

Diagnosis methods may include:

  • Diagnosis by a specialist service
  • which may include a paediatrician

It is important to rule out acute stressors that might be disrupting the child’s behaviour.

For example, a sick parent or victimising by other children might be responsible for sudden changes in a child’s typical behaviour and these factors have to be considered initially. Untreated children with behavioural disorders may grow up to be dysfunctional adults. Generally, the earlier the intervention, the better the outcome is likely to be.

A large study in the United States, conducted for the National Institute of Mental Health and the Office of School Education Programs, showed that carefully designed medication management and behavioural treatment for ADHD improved all measures of behaviour in school and at home. Treatment is usually multifaceted and depends on the particular disorder and factors contributing to it, but may include:

  • – for example
  • teaching parents how to communicate with
  • manage their children. – the entire family is helped to improve communication
  • problem-solving skills

Relaxation techniques and stress management skills are also taught. – for example, a child with a learning difficulty will benefit from professional support. – many children with behavioural disorders experience repeated failures at school and in their interactions with others.

Encouraging the child to excel in their particular talents (such as sport) can help to build self-esteem. – to help control impulsive behaviours. attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Oppositional defiant disorder easily angered, annoyed or irritated frequent temper tantrums refuses to obey rules seems to deliberately try to annoy or aggravate others low self-esteem low frustration threshold Conduct disorder frequent refusal to obey parents or other authority figures repeated truancy tendency to use drugs, including cigarettes and alcohol, at a very early age lack of empathy for others keenness to start physical fights using weapons in physical fights frequent lying a tendency to run away from home Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Inattention Impulsivity Overactivity Risk factors in children’s behavioural disorders Gender Gestation and birth Temperament Family life Learning difficulties Intellectual disabilities Brain development Diagnosis of children’s behavioural disorders anxiety , depression In-depth interviews with the parents, child and teachers Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Treatment of behavioural disorders in children Parental education Family therapy Cognitive behavioural therapy Social training Anger management Support for associated problems Encouragement Medication Where to get help Your GP (doctor) – for a referral to a specialist service below Paediatrician Child psychologist Child psychiatrist Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Grand Rapids fact sheet on Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Grand Rapids fact sheets on Challenging behaviour in toddlers and young children , school-aged children and teenagers Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association Association for Children with a Disability (616) 555-0200 , rural callers free call on 1800 654 013 American Psychological Society, APS Psychologist Referral Service (616) 555-0200 or 1800 333 497.

Key Points

  • most common disruptive behaviour disorders include oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD)
  • These three behavioural disorders share some common symptoms, so diagnosis can be difficult and time consuming
  • unclear if the cause is genetic or linked to socialisation experiences
  • important to rule out acute stressors that might be disrupting the child’s behaviour
  • – the child is taught important social skills, such as how to have a conversation or play cooperatively with others