Growing children can encounter a wide range of emotions, with moments of ups and downs. Moreover, life-changing events can also impact a child’s mental health, which can cause behavioral changes like stress or grief. In such cases, it can be difficult to spot the difference between regular emotions and behavioral problems.
When a child breaks their wrist, their parent immediately rushes them to the hospital. Then, why do they wait as long as possible before seeking behavioral therapy for their child? Treating the symptoms of anxiety, depression, or stress needs the same amount of attention as a physical injury.
A parent needs to understand that a mere therapy appointment does not deem your child as crazy or as an incompetent parent. There is no harm in providing extra support or a different type of behavioral therapy that motivates a child to perform at their best and grow into happy and emotionally stable person.
Detecting the problems early by a child support specialist can address them before they worsen. This can pave an improved path for you and your child to lead your life in a healthier direction. Thus, this article highlights 6 signs your child needs behavioral therapy, but before we do that, let’s talk a little about finding a suitable therapist.
Consider the Qualifications of Behavioral Therapists
If you are seeking a behavioral therapist for your child, you need someone with a rock-solid educational foundation. To begin with, a bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, or social work experience is a prerequisite to understand the complexities of human behavior and psychological principles.
That said, look for a therapist with a master’s degree in a specialized field, such as counseling or clinical psychology. On the other hand, if you want to consider learning about this field and making a career in it, you can consider an online ABA program, i.e., an applied behavioral analysis degree. It can support your career advancement in different kinds of professional settings; clinical, research, or supervisory role. If you are a full-time working individual, you can pursue it online to maintain your work-life balance.
6 Signs Your Child Needs Behavioral Therapy
While every child is unique in their abilities and exhibits a different range of behaviors, certain red flags may indicate the need for behavioral therapy. Below are some key indicators to consider. If they do show such signs, get them the treatment they deserve.
1. Persistent Emotional or Behavioral Issues
- If your child is consistently being difficult, such as having frequent tantrums, aggression, excessive anxiety, or mood swings, it may suggest the need for behavioral therapy.
- Unexplained emotional outbursts, difficulty managing emotions, or consistent defiance towards authority figures can also be warning signs.
2. Social Difficulties
- If your child has persistent difficulties in social situations, such as trouble making friends, difficulty understanding social cues, or challenges with sharing and taking turns, behavioral therapy may be beneficial.
- Social withdrawal, isolation, or consistently engaging in disruptive behaviors within social settings can also be signs that therapeutic intervention is necessary.
3. Academic Struggles
- If your child is experiencing significant difficulties in academic performance, despite appropriate support and resources, it may indicate the need for behavioral therapy.
- Problems with attention, focus, organization, or maintaining concentration on tasks can interfere with their learning and educational progress.
4. Communication and Language Issues:
- Behavioral therapy may be necessary if your child has delays or difficulties in speech and language development, struggles to communicate effectively, or has limited social interactions due to communication challenges.
- Difficulty understanding instructions, expressing needs or wants, or exhibiting repetitive speech patterns may also warrant professional intervention.
5. Overstimulated and Spontaneity:
- If your child consistently displays high levels of hyperactivity and impulsivity and has difficulty staying still or focusing on tasks, it may be indicative of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or other related conditions, as 8.7% (5.3 million), children are currently diagnosed with ADHD.
- Impulsive behaviors, such as interrupting conversations, struggling to wait for turns, or acting without considering consequences, can also be addressed through behavioral therapy.
6. Repetitive or Stereotyped Behaviors:
- If your child repeats certain actions or stereotyped behaviors, such as rocking, hand-flapping, or excessive adherence to specific routines or rituals, it may exhibit signs of developmental disorder, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Behavioral therapy can help address these behaviors and develop alternative coping strategies.
How behavioral therapy can help
The main crux of behavior therapy focuses on changing the negative thoughts and feelings of children into positive ones. It usually has a productive result starting with recognizing triggers and removing them to prevent unwanted behaviors. It involves reinforcement of good behavior or providing some sort of reward. It also entails taking away privileges as consequences for undesirable behavior that cannot be tolerated at any cost.
Behavioral therapy can be particularly advantageous for children with anxiety, ADHD, and ASD. It helps them control their temper, negative thoughts, and tantrums. Moreover, it awards them with self-control and an improved self-image and enhances their coping mechanisms. According to a study, there was a 55-60% success rate of treated children diagnosed with anxiety disorders after receiving cognitive behavior therapy (CBT).
There are several behavioral techniques, such as modeling, exposure, restructuring, toys, and games, to address children’s triggers and prevent unwanted behaviors in the future. The behavioral therapy sessions can either be conducted individually, with parents, or even with the whole family, including siblings, depending on the nature of the issue.
Conclusion
As a parent, you should understand that the presence of one or more of these signs doesn’t necessarily call for behavioral therapy. However, if there has been a continuous pattern of undesirable behavior that has impacted your child’s mental health and day-to-day functioning, then it is time to dial a healthcare professional, such as a pediatrician, psychologist, or behavioral therapist. They can perform a thorough evaluation and provide recommendations on the most appropriate interventions.
Consulting a professional and developing an individualized treatment plan will ensure your child receives the necessary support to thrive and reach their full potential.