Conduct Disorder
Before you read the webpage please read the following notes:
NOTE 1 – We are giving you an overview of this condition in a question and answer format so you have some information for when you talk to a health professional. We have not discussed how to diagnose this condition, the types of treatment available for this condition and how you as the parent can help your child. We will leave that for a professional to discuss with you when a healthcare plan or special educational needs plan is being written for your child once they have been diagnosed.
NOTE 2 – Children can suffer from more than one condition at any one time. This is known as comorbid.
NOTE 3 – The exact cause of many of the conditions we have written about is unknown. Research is continuing. There can often be a genetic component which when inherited can make an individual prone to the condition. There are also other factors which can play a part in the development of the condition and can trigger it. We have detailed these factors in each write up.
NOTE 4 – Education for children with special education needs and disabilities is written elsewhere on this website. Please click the link below to access it.
WHAT IS CONDUCT DISORDER?
Conduct disorder is when a child exhibits serious behavioural problems such as rule breaking and aggression towards others.
It is much more common in boys than in girls.
Children with conduct disorder come across as ‘bad’, ‘delinquent’, ‘confident’ and ‘tough’. The truth is they are often vulnerable and lack stability and care. They are often insecure.
Children with conduct disorder are regarded as children with special educational needs.
WHAT SYMPTOMS DOES A CHILD WITH CONDUCT DISORDER DISPLAY?
The symptoms a child with conduct disorder may have are:
- They can be selfish.
- They can act like a bully
- Thet get into fights easily
- They are destructive
- They lack guilt feelings for anything they do.
- They can be deceitful and tend to lie.
- They are often truant from school
- They can start fires
- They are prone to runaway from home
- They do not relate to others, especially to their peers.
- They can over react or act aggressively quite easily.
- They can be nasty to animals.
- They can damage property
- They are prone to steal things.
- They break rules
- They usually violate the rights of others
- Their behaviour is socially unacceptable.
The symptoms of conduct disorder can be mild, medium or severe.
ARE CHILDREN WHO HAVE CONDUCT DISORDER BORN WITH IT OR IS IT ACQUIRED?
There is no one single thing that causes this disorder. There can be a genetic aspect to this disorder which can be inherited from parents however it is accepted that many factors play a part in the development of this disorder. Some of these factors are:
- Childhood abuse
- Childhood neglect and abandonment
- Serious traumatic and violent experiences
- Breakdown of the family
- A head injury especially to the front lobe of the brain which affects a child’s personality
- Poverty
- Family history of conduct disorder
- A child having other psychiatric issues.
WHEN DO MOST CHILDREN FIRST DISPLAY THE SIGNS OF CONDUCT DISORDER?
Children as young as 7 years to 8 years can show a few signs of conduct disorder such as aggression.
Most cases develop in children aged between 10 years and 19 years.
CAN CONDUCT DISORDER GO AWAY, BE CURED OR PREVENTED?
Conduct disorder can be successfully treated.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONDUCT DISORDER?
There are 3 types of conduct disorder and they are:
1. Childhood onset – This type of conduct disorder occurs before a child is 10 years of age.
2. Adolescent onset – This type of conduct disorder occurs when the child is in their teens.
3. Unspecified onset – This type of conduct disorder occurs when the onset of the disorder is unknown.
WHO DO YOUR CONTACT FOR HELP IF YOU FEEL YOUR CHILD HAS CONDUCT DISORDER?
Contact your GP immediately – Your GP will arrange for your child to be assessed for conduct disorder. Your GP will then arrange for your child to have the correct support, medication, therapy and treatment to manage and control the condition. They will also inform you of any lifestyle changes you may need to make and refer you for further help if you need it.
Contact the school SEN department – The SEN department (special educational needs) at school will take your concerns seriously and help you. Please read the next section below.
IS CONDUCT DISORDER CONSIDERED A SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEED (SEN)?
A child suffering from conduct disorder can be considered as one with special educational needs (SEN) if the issues the child is suffering from make education and learning much more difficult than other children of the same age.
Talk to the SEN department at your child’s school. There will be a special teacher there called a SENCO (special SEN coordinator) who looks after the welfare of all SEN children at the school and they will be able to advise you further.
WHERE CAN YOU AS A PARENT TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
You can contact NSPCC – If your child has conduct disorder you can contact the NSPCC and speak to them about your concerns. If the child is in danger they will call the police.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR NSPCC – CONTACT US
You can contact FAMILY LIVES – Family lives was previously known as parentline. You can speak to them about your concerns that your child has conduct disorder.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR FAMILY LIVES – CONTACT US
You can contact SUPPORTLINE – Supportline can provide confidential emotional support over the phone about your concerns if your child has conduct disorder. Their helpline number is 01708 765 200. You can also email them.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR SUPPORTLINE – CONTACT US
You can contact your local authority child services – You can call them directly or look on their website to see if there are any local support groups where you can get support.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY
You can contact other organisations –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE 16 – CONNECT WITH CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS THAT COULD HELP YOU.
WHERE CAN YOUR CHILD TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
Your child can contact CHILDLINE – If your child has conduct disorder and they need to talk to someone, they can call childline.