Behavior Disorders

Kids who display inappropriate or disruptive behaviors including self-destructive actions, cruelty to pets or siblings, frequent temper tantrums, stealing, lying and doing poorly in school should be evaluated by a physician with expertise in diagnosing and treating behavioral disorders. Excellent therapies are available to help kids with these problems, including not just medications but also family counseling, social skills training and behavioral therapy. Beyond ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, autism and Asperger’s syndrome, other behavioral disorders include oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder and pediatric bipolar affective disorder. If you notice a pattern of aggressive, disruptive or harmful behaviors that continues for months in your child, your primary care physician can help by providing expert evaluation, care and specialist referrals when needed.