How to Diagnose Behavior in a Child

Defiant children are often seeking power due to feelings of inadequacy.

The diagnosis of children is best left to professionals like child psychologists. Labeling someone, especially a child, is often more detrimental than helpful. It is important to understand the goal of misbehavior, and learn to redirect this behavior.

Diagnosis

A teen may act out while trying to gain power.

The difficulties can usually be attended to without labeling. For example, children are better viewed as "acting out" rather than being bad. Tantrums, sibling fights or even promiscuous behavior may be misguided attempts to get attention. Whatever the behavior, the motive for acting out should be discovered.

Understanding Motive

A child will often discover that he can gain either positive or negative attention by acting out.

Understanding the child's goal for his misbehavior will give you insight into which course of action to take. If power is the child's goal, try asking them to help you and offer them choices. Additionally, if a child is seeking undue attention try to "redirect by involving child in a useful task to gain useful attention," according to Positivediscipline.com.

Special Considerations

Find professional help for your child if you see any of the following signs of distress;

drastic change in appearance; depression lasting more than six months; severe anxiety; suicidal thoughts or gestures; violent behavior; school fights; being bullied; or difficulty adjusting to a major change (i.e. moving).

References

• Positive Discipline: Mistaken Goal Chart