Disruptive behavior refers to a mental health disorder that occurs in children who are unreasonably oppositional and noncompliant to authority (Keith 2010, p. 1). This disorder is easy to diagnose in children because it shows in social settings like the classroom, playground, home, etc. This paper is an analysis of three ABC forms filled in a classroom showing observations made on a student (Teddy). It explains how these observations could be an indication of Disruptive Behavior Disorders in the student.
The first form reveals that Teddy suffers from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This is a disorder in which a child is either unable to pay attention or he/she is very active (Keith 2010, p. 1). Teddy’s case is that of attention deficit since he is unable to pay attention even after being instructed by the teacher to be attentive. This kind of disorder is predominant in boys.
Evidence from the first form suggesting ADHD include Teddy’s failure to look at the worksheet when it is given to him and his failure to pay attention to the teacher as the teacher explains the worksheet. The ADHD leads to revelation of another type of disorder in Teddy before the session ends. When the teacher finishes explaining, Teddy says that he will not do the assignment.
When informed that he has to finish the work before he goes home, he defies the teacher’s instructions to stay out of the classroom. These two occurrences show Oppositional Defiant Disorder which exhibits itself in children breaking rules in schools and homes. This disorder is also evident during the tape session when Teddy sits on his book and starts complaining that he does not have one.
When asked by the teacher to stand, he refuses and when warned, he leans on his desk with his head. In the third form, a third type of behavioral disorders is exhibited. This disorder is the Conduct Disorder that is exhibited by habitual breaking of laws and regulations in the society. When the teacher allows students to exchange valentine cards, Teddy calls his male counterparts “wusses”.
When threatened with an office referral, he says he does not care. When he is offered cards by his teacher to pass to classmates, he shouts that he is not a “wuss”. This behavior is characteristic of sheer nonconformance with society regulations and rules (Keith 2010, p. 1).
As shown in the analysis above, there are three types of Disruptive Behavior Disorders. These are the ADHD, the Oppositional Defiant Disorder and the Conduct Disorder. The last two occur mostly in young children with ADHD, neurological damage or low birth weight. The three disorders are predominant in children who were abandoned or abused, those living in poverty or children whose mothers are abused (Keith 2010, p. 1). This evidences the fact that these behaviors are, actually, mental disorders.
Disruptive Behavior Disorders should be detected as early as possible for treatment. Treatment for these disorders include a combination of special training for parents to handle the situation, therapy for the children to aid them in learning healthy ways of expressing their feelings and extension of treatment services to schools. Medications may also work for some children but they often have undesirable side effects. Thus, medication is minimally used in reducing the symptoms of these disorders (Keith 2010, p. 1).
Reference List
Keith, K. (2010). “Disruptive Behavior Disorders.” Web.