A guide for pediatric medical providers for how to evaluate childhood disruptive behavior

What is it about?

The purpose of this research-informed article it to not only provide a general discussion of childhood disruptive behaviours that highlights some of the possible hazards with “wait and see” philosophies, but to also provide information to aid child-focused medical providers in determining normality from concerning behaviours, methods of evaluation, and the characteristics that should be sought in an evidence-based referral should a higher level of care be required.

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Why is it important?

Childhood disruptive behaviours are some of the most frequent concerns posed by families to child-focused medical providers. While prevalent and holding the potential to exacerbate into Disruptive Behaviour Disorders (DBD), some providers utilise “wait and see” philosophies in the hopes that children will outgrow the concerns. Unfortunately, many do not, leading to additional problems that could have potentially been addressed more easily if the child received a more thorough evaluation and intervention when the behaviours were first suggested by a family.