Children attend school to become educated members of society, capable of making informed decisions and increasing future career possibilities. However, some children have difficulty adjusting to the classroom environment and act out with disruptive behaviors. Disruptive classroom behaviors not only detract from your child's education experience, but may also lead to social isolation. Understanding the types of disruptive classroom behaviors, and the possible causes and solutions, may help you problem-solve your child's behavior problems, and reduce the likelihood that he will suffer from social isolation.
Types
What one teacher considers disruptive, another teacher may not. No set criteria or definition exists to determine which behavior qualifies as disruptive. However, some behaviors generally qualify as unacceptable no matter which teacher runs the classroom.
Disruptive classroom behaviors include aggressive behaviors, defiant behaviors, social disruptions and emotional disturbances. Aggressive behaviors include intimidating peers, engaging in physical altercations or damaging property. Defiant behaviors include blatant and sometimes vocal disregard of rules, as well as devaluing the teacher's expertise and judgment. Examples of social disruptions include interrupting discussions with off-topic information, engaging in private conversations or passing notes during instructional time. Emotional disturbances are temper tantrums.
Environmental Causes
The Parent Report explains that a child's disruptive classroom behaviors may result from the significant change in environment between the home and school. Children go from a small home environment to a classroom with 20 to 30 children, one authority figure and more structure than they have at home. Not knowing how to cope with these new demands, your child may act out. Exploring your child's disruptive behavior through communication with the teacher and your child can help you identify strategies for correcting disruptive behaviors before they get out of hand.
Psychological Causes
A chronic pattern of disruptive behavior may indicate a mental health disorder. Possible disorders indicated by such behavior include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD, and oppositional defiant disorder.
ADHD, characterized by an inability to pay attention and impulsive behaviors, often causes behavioral problems in class. The symptoms of ADHD clash with the expectations of the classroom environment. Children with ADHD may talk out of turn, have difficulty staying seated and find it challenging to maintain focus during instructional time.
Children with oppositional defiant disorder exhibit behaviors of negativity, defiance, disobedience and hostility toward authority figures, according to the Mayo Clinic. These symptoms may lead to problems in school, temper tantrums, aggressiveness toward peers and other disruptive classroom behaviors.
Effects
Children displaying disruptive classroom behaviors often face disciplinary consequences. When disruptive behaviors become a chronic issue, these consequences escalate and sometimes result in the child's removal from school through suspensions and possibly expulsion. Dr. Markus Bidell and Dr. Robert Deacon, both counselors specializing in youth and behavioral problems, report that frequent suspensions and expulsion from school increase the likelihood that a child will fail classes, use drugs or alcohol and drop out of school.
Solutions
A variety of techniques on the part of the teacher may help prevent and reduce disruptive classroom behaviors. Developing a contract of acceptable classroom rules and procedures in partnership with students, and frequently reviewing these rules and procedures, may help prevent disruptive behaviors. Additionally, a child who frequently misbehaves may benefit from a personal contract outlining which behavior needs to improve and how the child will improve the behavior.
If your child's disruptive behavior shows signs of a psychological disorder, contact a qualified mental health professional. A professional can make a proper diagnosis and advise you about treatment. Treatments for disorders causing disruptive classroom behaviors include cognitive behavioral therapy, the use of medications or a combination of both therapy and medication.
References
- EurekAlert!: Early Behavior Problems Appear to Lead to Peer Rejection and Friendlessness
- California State University Fullerton: Disruptive Classroom Behavior
- The Parent Report: Disruptive Classroom Behavior
- MHA Westchester: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Mayo Clinic: Oppositional Defiant Disorder
