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Conduct Disorders in Children Information Film
Conduct Disorders are mental and behavioural problems in young people and the most common reason for a child to be referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. (CAMHS)
This film explains how to recognise and help a child who shows the symptoms of conduct disorder. You can watch it at home on your computer or download it to play at events or seminars.
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Raising a Child with ODD and ADHD
ODD stands for Oppositional Defiant Disorder. It is a conduct disorder. Children with ODD frequently have severe temper tantrums, do things that annoy people, argue, defy adults’ requests, seem angry and spiteful and blame others for their own misbehaviour.
Find out more about Conduct Disorders in Children, read and download our Fact sheet, or watch more real life experience films.
Celina’s daughter has ADHD. But Celina describes how the ADHD feeds Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and it is the ODD that affects her daughter the most. ODD is the most common Conduct Disorder in children 10 years and under.
How to Recognise Symptoms of Conduct Disorder Part One
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How to Recognise Symptoms of Conduct Disorder Part Two
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More information:
The condition can be categorised into two variants – a child may have a socialised conduct disorder, known as oppositional defiant disorder or ODD or an unsocialised conduct disorder known as Conduct Disorder or CD. With a socialised conduct disorder, the child will still have positive social relationships with their peers. Unsocialised conduct disorder might occur when the child is a little older. It means the young person will often be solitary and not have the ability to keep friendships and relationships. They will show destructive behaviours, perhaps using a weapon or fire lighting,
Your child may only show these behavioural issues at home, which can be very disheartening as a parent. You may feel alone and misunderstood if the behavioural issues are not happening at school, but it is important to not blame yourself in these times. If your child has a severe conduct disorder, they may target you or someone in your family, or at school, specifically as a victim to their behaviour.
It is not uncommon for the child or young person to also have other mental health or neurodivergent conditions alongside ODD such as ADHD. These conditions can easily be overlooked due to focus on violent behaviours as a result of ODD or CD.
To help your child it is important you don’t just pay attention to the negative behaviours as this will only exacerbate them. Make sure to notice and praise your child if they do something right or if they’re being good and reward them to remind them that they don’t have to act violently to get what they want. Inconsistent and harsh parenting can lead to a conduct disorder so make sure to always be fair in your punishment.
To get support for your child, you can contact a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) who can help by making a referral to your local child and adolescent mental health service (such as CAMHS) or another appropriate local support service. Make sure you have a support system of people who understand what you’re going through as a parent. Support groups can be helpful when you’re going through a tough moment with your child.
