When children are experiencing behavioral issues, medication is sometimes the right solution. In other situations, however, parents, educators, and medical professionals can take additional steps first. These individuals may find that medication is unnecessary and that another solution exists to the problem. Before turning to medication as a solution, consider other strategies for addressing behavioral struggles.
One simple step parents can take at home is to use strategies for positive reinforcement. Right now, you might focus on when your kids aren’t behaving instead of offering positive feedback for when they are following directions and acting appropriately. While you don’t want kids to think that they get a large prize every time they behave as they should, you can offer verbal praise. Another idea is to give your kids a sticker each time they maintain good behavior for a whole day. After they earn a certain number of stickers, you can let them pick out a toy, book, or treat.
If your kids have trouble with listening to directions, you might try offering them choices. Some children do not like to be told what to do, but they do like independence. For example, consider kids who are advised to wear a winter coat on a chilly day. Little ones might fight against having to wear the coat. Instead of telling your kids that they have to wear a coat, let them know that they get to pick between two options. Then, present them with two coats. Giving children a say in the matter might prevent an argument.
You may also want to look into some devices for behavior modification. Speaking with a doctor or mental health professional is essential for making the right decisions for your children. For example, if you struggle to get your children to stop sucking their thumbs, you can look into an anti-thumb sucking device worn on the arm or hand. Depending upon the specific behavior issues, you might want to research some apps for the phone that help monitor your children’s behavior.
Loss of Privileges
Harsh punishments can make kids angrier, and you might notice an increase in behavioral issues when inflicting such consequences. For example, grounding your children for a month because they acted out one time in school is likely too extreme of a punishment. Toning down the consequences can help. When your children do not listen to directions or act out, you can take away a privilege. For example, instead of allowing your kids to play games on the phone while they are relaxing before dinner, you can take this device away for a day or two. Your children can start to understand that they need to act in a certain way to get these privileges.
When you notice that your little ones struggle with their behavior, speaking with a professional to obtain a formal diagnosis is a smart decision. Your children may qualify for early intervention services. Little ones can benefit from early intervention services before they even enter into the formal schooling system. These services can assist with behavioral issues, as well as other developmental and learning struggles your children might be encountering.
As you may know, adults can tremendously benefit from counseling sessions with a therapist, which is true for children. Your children might have inner thoughts that are preventing them from being as successful as they could be. Your kids could also be encountering struggles at school that they are unwilling to share with you. Whatever the cause of the issue is, bringing your children to start meeting with a therapist can have a positive impact.
Medication is certainly a path that a number of families choose when the children are experiencing behavioral issues. In fact, you may ultimately need to pursue this path as well. However, you have to understand that medication is not the only option. You have a number of other solutions that you can try first before taking the step to put your children on medication.