Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent)

Definition of Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent):

• Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent) is defined as the treatment of youth with a diagnosis of a disruptive behavior disorder, including Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder, or youth without a diagnosis who are exhibiting similar behaviors. Common symptoms may include arguing and refusing to obey rules, frequent defiance of authority, aggression towards people and animals, destruction of property, lying, theft, failure to take responsibility for bad behavior or mistakes, and regular temper tantrums. In Oppositional Defiant Disorder, the rules broken are usually those in the family and the school, while in Conduct Disorder, the rules broken include the regulations and laws made by society.

Why Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent) was chosen by the Advisory Committee?

This topic was chosen by the Advisory Committee to highlight the need for timely, appropriate, and effective disruptive behavior treatment services that support children and families in achieving successful outcomes. Documented research shows that children who enter the child welfare system, particularly those that are removed from their home, experience a significantly higher rate of mental health problems, including disruptive behaviors, than children in the general population. This is not surprising, and is likely the result of a number of contributing factors. These factors may include events that precipitated child welfare intervention including abuse, neglect, and abandonment, as well as factors associated with placement, including separation, loss, anger, and fear.

While the child welfare system has historically focused on the physical and safety needs of children, emerging practice within agencies across the country is to now take into account the emotional needs of children as well. Child welfare agencies along with mental health providers have come to recognize that early assessment and timely treatment intervention play a key role in ensuring successful outcomes for children. As a result, a growing number of new initiatives and programs are being implemented within California counties that support the delivery of an array of mental health services to children and families receiving child welfare services. These services range from mental health screening and assessment to individualized treatment for identified needs. Additionally, there is heightened awareness among professionals that the delivery of children’s mental health services must be carefully coordinated across child serving agencies to thoroughly address their complex needs.

Whether children remain living with their parents or are placed outside the home, it is critical that all children in the child welfare system be screened and assessed. Moreover, parents and caregivers must be trained to identify early signs of mental distress enabling them to seek early intervention and appropriate care and treatment.

Marilynne Garrison
Division Chief, Out of Home Care
Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services