Learn About Impulsivity
Signs of Impulsive Behavior
As children mature, their ability to control their own behavior and think before they act usually evolves. While each child is unique, your child should display behaviors similar to others in his or her age group. A two-year-old may not be expected to think through the consequences of running off the end of the dock to pet a swan. By four years old, however, that child should be able to perceive consequences and understand the danger of falling into the water.
Here are some signs your child might need some help with impulsivity:
- Always insists on being first
- Cannot understand consequences
- Displays poor turn-taking behavior
- Acts inappropriately for attention
- Is often aggressive with other children
- Takes things from other people
- Cannot understand the effect his words and actions have on other people
- Does not follow rules OR Consistently does not follow rules
Children go through difficult stages in their development and may exhibit some of these behaviors for a short period of time. If their behavior is consistently impulsive, though, there may be some underlying issue you need to explore.
Causes of Impulsivity
Impulsive behavior is usually a symptom of a larger problem. Children often act out when they do not have the ability to communicate what is really wrong. Impulsive behavior often accompanies attention deficit disorders. It can be impossible to think before acting when your head is full of random thoughts attracting your attention in various directions.
Also, in children with ADD or ADHD, the part of the brain that handles impulse control is slow to develop. Many children outgrow impulsivity, but some do not. There are strategies parents and children can learn to help diminish impulsive behavior.
A delay in language skill development can also lead to impulsive behavior. Children with communication disorders can become frustrated when they do not understand the directions given or cannot make themselves understood to others. They may speak out of turn because they have not mastered the rules of conversation.
Impulsive behavior can also accompany learning disabilities that involve executive functioning. Impulse control is one of the mental skills used in organizing information and behavior. For children with developmental delays in this area, impulsive behavior controls need to be taught and practiced.
Top Impulsive Behavior Treatment in Georgia
Hillside offers therapy for impulsive behavior in children that helps them manage their own behavior better. Our programs ease the tension for parents of children with impulsive behavior and help get to the root cause of the problem. Parents are not to blame for impulsive children, but they can be part of the solution.
Contact Hillside today to learn more about how you can help your child gain better impulse control.