Conduct Disorder in Children

Precursors to the this disorder generally include ADHD symptoms and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Although a significant percentage of individuals will move on to be diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder, for most children the disorder diminishes by adulthood⁽²⁾.

For many parents having your child get to the point of having symptoms of conduct disorder is very discouraging. Especially for children with signs of ADHD, that are constantly having problems in school as well. Asking for professional help is the best place to start, so that your child doesn't end up doing something that could get him/her into serious trouble.

Conduct Disorder DSM - IV Diagnostic Criteria

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The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) by the American Psychiatric Association uses the following criteria to diagnose Conduct Disorder⁽¹⁾:

A. A repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms or rules are violated, as manifested by the presence of three (or more) of the following criteria in the past 12 months, with at least one criterion present in the past six months⁽¹⁾:

Aggression to people and/or animals

1. Often bullies, threatens or intimidates others.
2. Often initiates physical fights.
3. Has used a weapon that can cause serious physical harm to others (e.g., a bat, brick, broken bottle, knife, gun).
4. Has been physically cruel to people.
5. Has been physically cruel to animals.
6. Has stolen while confronting a victim (e.g., mugging, purse snatching, extortion, armed robbery).
7. Has forced someone into sexual activity.

1. Has deliberately engaged in fire setting with the intention of causing serious damage.
2. Has deliberately destroyed others' property (other than by fire setting).

1. Has broken into someones house, building or car.
2. Often lies to obtain goods or favors or to avoid obligations (i.e., “cons” others).
3. Has stolen items of nontrivial value without confronting the victim (e.g., shoplifting, but without breaking and entering; forgery).

1. Often stays out at night despite parental prohibitions, beginning before age 13 years.
2. Has run away from home overnight at least twice while living in a parental or parental surrogate home (or once without returning for a lengthy period).
3. Is often truant from school, beginning before age 13 years.

Mild: few if any conduct problems in excess of those required to make the diagnosis, and conduct problems cause only minor harm to others.
Moderate: number of conduct problems and effect on others intermediate between “mild” and “severe.”
Severe: many conduct problems in excess of those required to make the diagnosis, or conduct problems cause considerable harm to others.

Conduct Disorder Treatment

Getting support from qualified professionals in this area is extremely important. This may mean working with a Behavior Analyst, certified mental health provider, and psychiatrist to ensure your child is on the right track. Usually a local community mental health organization will have resources available to families. Conduct disorder treatment will also most likely involve ADHD treatment since the two are typically coexisting disorders.

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References

2. American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior disorders - Conduct Disorder. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (Fourth edition---text revision (DSM-IV-TR). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association,93-99.