Childhood Behavior Disorders: Introduction (03:48)

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Approximately one in seven children has an emotional or physical disorder. This program will look at ADHD, separation anxiety, autism, and conduct disorder. Childhood disorders can be disruptive, emotional, or developmental. Behavior factors include frequency, duration, and intensity.

Disruptive Behavior Disorders: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (06:56)

James, 11, has trouble focusing, is impulsive, and struggles to control his emotions and behavior. Learn about ADHD symptoms and hear why diagnosis can be difficult. The restricted academic situations task recreates a "boring" environment to reveal restless behavior.

ADHD Causal Factors and Treatment (06:11)

The precise cause is unknown, but parenting is not a factor. Theories suggest ADHD results from a biological motivation deficit. Stimulating drugs target brain areas involved in inhibiting and controlling behavior. Parent education includes behavioral modification concepts like the token economy.

ADHD Education and Prognosis (04:41)

Special education teacher Pat Henningson uses a point reward system when working with ADHD students. Although a biological disorder, outcome depends on social circumstances, including family support. Many patients will have difficulty in adulthood and may develop antisocial behavior.

Disruptive Behavior Disorders: Conduct Disorder (03:16)

Paul was arrested for car theft and placed in a juvenile detention center at age 14. He and his mother Dona reflect on their tumultuous relationship. CD affects one in 12 boys; failure and low self-esteem triggers anti-social behavior.

Conduct Disorder Causal Factors and Treatment (07:34)

CD results mostly from neglectful, harsh, or unstable family life. Treatment involves both parents and children; learn about a special foster care program teaching behavioral modification techniques to both parents and children. If untreated, patients have negative outcomes in adulthood.

Emotional Disorders: Separation Anxiety (04:28)

Amanda experienced constant fear and was unwilling to be apart from her mother. Separation anxiety becomes abnormal when it interferes with expected behavior for a child's age, such as going to school or playing with friends.

Separation Anxiety Factors and Treatment (03:55)

Many psychologists believe separation has adaptive value in the evolutionary process. Hear how parental behavior, traumatic childhood events, children's anger at their parents, and fear of inability to self-relieve pain can cause the disorder. Treatments include play, family, and exposure therapies.

Developmental Disorders: Autism (06:10)

Symptoms include lack of concern of separation from parents, impaired communication skills, and responding to limited stimuli. The disorder is a deficit in two way social interaction and communication. Compare footage of babies exhibiting normal and autistic behavior.

Autism Causal Factors and Treatment (07:56)

The disorder has an organic cause; patients are no longer considered mentally retarded. Treatment is matched to behavior severity. Carley attends public school while Wesley has learned to communicate through writing. With support, autistic individuals can live in the community.

Childhood Behavior Disorders Summary (00:59)

Not all dysfunctional behavior is symptomatic of abnormal problems; deviation from the norm can indicate developmental delays. With proper support, most children will grow into functioning adults.

Credits: Behavior Disorders of Childhood (01:22)

Credits: Behavior Disorders of Childhood