When we become parents, we all imagine that positive guidance and clear boundaries will result in kids that do everything they’re told. Yet, despite their best efforts, countless parents find themselves up against behavioral issues. In some instances, perseverance and perhaps a closer look at discipline can help even then. But, if your child misbehaves regardless of what you do, it’s possible that the perceived bad behavior isn’t actually to blame.
In recent years, many parents are finding that so-called “naughty” behavior is an indicator of underlying health conditions. As well as being ineffective, continued efforts at punishment in these instances are unfair for everyone involved. Here, we’re going to consider just a few of the key “bad” behaviors that, if they persist, may well be a sign of something else.
# 1 – Difficulty concentrating
A refusal to sit still or concentrate on school work can be undeniably frustrating, but it’s very rarely a standalone behavioral issue. Rather, a few pressing health concerns can be behind a problem like this — with one of the most common being ADHD. This condition affects as many as 6.1 million children and is characterized by inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness, which incidentally impacts concentration. Dyslexia is another concern for children who fail to focus on things like reading and schoolwork due to their inability to follow text/grasp meanings the way another child might. In both instances, diagnosis is key to ensuring treatment options, additional help, and a general understanding of what you can do to improve learning, and behavior, moving forward.
# 2 – Failure to respond
We all joke that our children have selective hearing, but if your child consistently fails to respond, there may be more than defiance at play. Childhood hearing loss is a prevalent problem, and it can often go undetected. In this instance, regular checks and the best hearing aids for your child can make a huge difference to them and you. It’s therefore essential to seek the help of an audiologist if you’re constantly struggling to get your message across.
# 3 – Unsocial behavior
A child who hits, fails to share, or otherwise experiences social problems is any parent’s worst nightmare, and can result in avoiding social settings with that child altogether. In reality, though, ongoing unsocial behavior is almost always a symptom of deeper problems that, again, are too often unrecognised. If your efforts to curb problems like these have been ineffective, it’s especially important to visit a behaviorist who is better able to pick up on specific social disorders such as autism, ADHD, or social communication disorder. That way, you’ll be better able to tailor social settings, and the lessons that they bring, with this crucial knowledge in mind.
Difficult behavior is an undeniable challenge, but it doesn’t always display for the reasons we expect. So, before you put your child on the naughty step yet again it’s worth asking yourself – is bad behavior really at the root of this problem?
Category: WebTags: ADHD
