These behaviors may be caused by a wide variety of factors. This is an important point, as understanding the causes is critical to understanding what to do about the behavior. Too often children and adolescents with these behaviors are just labeled as “difficult.” A thorough assessment to determine the causes of their behavior is necessary in order to come up with an appropriate intervention. The following is a list of just some of the things that can cause disruptive behaviors.

Disruptive Behavioral Disorders

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder
• Conduct Disorder
• Disruptive Behavioral Disorder, NOS
Other Mental Health Conditions
• ADHD
• Mood Disorders (Bipolar Disorder, Depression)
• Asperger’s Disorder or other Pervasive Developmental DisordersBR>• Anxiety Disorders (Social Phobia, Separation Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Acute Stress Disorder)
• Adjustment Disorders
• Substance Use Disorders
• Impulse Control Disorders
• Tic Disorders

Learning Disabilities/Information Processing Disorders

• Central Auditory Processing Disorder
• Language Processing Disorders (Dyslexia, Dysgraphia)
• “Nonverbal Learning Disorders” (NLD)

Other Causes:

• Medical Disorders and other Physical Causes (poor sleep, poor nutrition)
• Home, Family, Parenting Issues
• Victimization, Abuse

Src: www.cesa11.k12.wi.us

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