Disruptive Behavior Disorders

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Parents are an essential part of treatment for their child's disruptive behavior disorder. The most effective interventions we've seen are parent-based.

Eugene d'Angelo, PhD, chief, Boston Children's Division of Psychology

When a child is acting out — disrupting activities, ignoring rules, goading others, or erupting in defiance at being told “no” — the entire family feels the impact. You may feel helpless to control your child’s restlessness or anger, unsure how to respond, or at a loss as to how to return some sense of stability and normalcy to the family environment. You may also find yourself with more questions — What’s wrong with my child? How can we keep our family together in the midst of all this chaos? — than answers.

Our team of clinicians are here to help. First, it might be beneficial to learn as much as you can about your child’s condition.

It may also help you to know that you’re not alone. Disruptive behavior disorders are relatively common in children, and with the right care, these conditions can be treated successfully.

How Boston Children's Hospital approaches disruptive behavior disorders

We have a long history of pioneering important advances in behavioral and mental health for children and adolescents. Our Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences clinicians are committed to evidence-based treatments — therapies that have been tested and proven effective through careful scientific analysis, both here at our hospital and at top health centers around the world.

At the same time, we practice medicine that’s patient-focused and family centered. We never lose sight of the fact that your child is, first and foremost, an individual — not merely a patient — and we include your family at every stage of the treatment process.

Our clinicians use several techniques to treat disruptive behavior disorders, including:

Working with your clinician, you can make a difference for your child by learning and using new: