by Beth Mckinney

Created on: January 10, 2010

Parents of emotionally disturbed children need to provide consistency, consequences and compassion; they also deserve support.

Emotional disturbances arise from many different causes. Some children are born with conditions that may result in behavior problems; others are emotionally disturbed because of traumatic experiences such as violence, loss or injury. Professionals will often recommend widely varied approaches for children with different diagnoses, even though all of these conditions are called “emotional disturbances.”

Therefore, parents and teachers who work with emotionally disturbed children can benefit from working with professionals who have experience related to the child's specific condition. For example, children with attachment issues may not react well to time-out as a consequence, and children with post-traumatic stress disorder may be re-traumatized by spanking. However, there are some general approaches that seem to work well with most emotionally disturbed children.

Children with Psychiatric Special Needs Need Consequences and Compassion

Many parents feel that children who act out need spanking, time out or other consequences as much as they need counseling or medication. Other parents argue that no child chooses to be emotionally disturbed and therefore they should be treated with compassion. Both are right. Even though these children may suffer from their emotional disturbance, they will not learn how to overcome their challenges unless they see consequences. Therefore, parents do need to assign consequences in a calm and caring way.

Many hospitals, schools and treatment centers that work with emotionally disturbed children use a system of rewards and consequences based on the child's behaviors. These systems often include charts with levels. While some have many complicated steps, they almost always include clear expectations for children to follow in order to earn specific privileges. For example, a therapist may state that children should act safely. If a child takes a dangerous action, he or she earns a negative mark, loses privileges or spends time in a quiet place. However, if the child acts safely for several hours, he or she earns points and can earn privileges. Parents can help emotionally disturbed children to learn new behaviors by enacting a similar program at home.

Emotionally Disturbed Children Need Consistency

Charts or other systems designed to modify behavior work best if they are applied consistently. This

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