How To

How to Tell if Your Child Has Impulse Control Problems

Cutting things

Member

By Julia Fuller
eHow Community Member

Article Rating:

(10 Ratings)

Do you often wonder if your child is just naughty or bad? Is there a chance that instead your child is struggling with controlling impulses? Impulse control problems are common among children with ADD, ADHD, FAS, prenatal drug exposure, those in foster care, or who suffered from trauma. It may seem sometimes as if the behavior was intentional. Who can you tell if your child has impulse control problems?

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Therapy
Understanding
Logical consequences
Medication
Diet changes

Step 1

Hiding or shame

Does your child seem to do random annoying things without thinking. For example, pouring out all the shampoo, smashing paintballs on the kitchen floor, or taking objects that belong to others?
Step 2

Does your child show remorse or regret for the action. If your child shows regret the act may have been unintentional. If you believe the act was unintentional your child may be having difficulty controlling impulses.
Step 3

Is your child surprised by his poor grades because he thought he was doing better? Perhaps your child's impulse control is preventing him from finishing or turning in assigments.
Step 4

Is your child always touching, poking, or annoying others? These could be signs of having an impulse control problem.

Tips & Warnings

Therapy such as counseling may help.
Medication, natural treatments, or diet changes may help.
Failure to control impulses can lose friends and cause problems in school and at work.
Failure to control impulse problems can lead to stealing and jail time.

Resources