Millions of American teenagers live with behavioral disorders such as ODD, RAD, CD, ADHD, depression, and anxiety. Parenting a teenager with a behavioral disorder can be stressful, but creating structure through consistent routines, rules, and positive reinforcement can help the teen overcome challenges. Each disorder requires a tailored approach, but effective strategies generally include developing trust through open communication, identifying triggers, setting clear expectations, and activities to relieve stress.

1. Parenting a teenager can be overwhelming
when dealing with different behavioral
disorders. As teenagers begin to find their
identity they are looking for ways to express
themselves and at times this can cause major
stress on parents. These stress can come
from decisions made from teenagers
because of behavior disorders.
Creating and establishing structure for your
teenagers will provide them with the
guidance and positive atmosphere needed to
help them overcome their challenges.
For Teens With Behavioral Disorders
Why is it important to create
structure for your teens?
Schedule:
Behavioral Disorders in America
Millions of American teenagers live with a variety of behavioral
disorders such as ODD, RAD, CD, ADHD, depression, anxiety and a
host of other behavioral disorders.
Oppositional
Defiant
Disorder (ODD)
It is estimated that:
of children and teens have ODD
2% - 16%
Approximately 11%Attention Deficit
Hyperactive
Disorder (ADHD)
Reactive
Attachment
Disorder (RAD)
Around 8 10of every
children raised in an environment with
trauma in their early years could be
affected by attachment disorder
Conduct
Disorder
(CD)
of children 4-17 years of age (About 6.4
million) have been diagnosed with ADHD as
of 2O11
6%-16%
2%-9%
for boys
for GIRLS
Conduct disorder is more common among
boys than girls, with studies indicating that
the rate among boys in the general
population ranges from:
ADHD was the most
prevalent current
behavioral disorder
among children aged
3–17 years.
Only 20 percent of
children with mental
disorders are identified
and receive mental
health services
Only about 4 percent of
the total healthcare
budget is spent on our
mental health.
How Parents Can
Create Structure with
Their Teens
Each behavioral disorder requires a different approach
to creating the structure needed to succeed. While
parents can begin this process through developing a
relationship of love and trust, below are a few
recommendations for each specific behavioral disorder:
Get involved in cognitive problem solving training
Develop relationship, building social
skills training
Recognize and praise positive behavior
on a daily basis
Agree on an action plan and make sure
your teen knows specific
consequences for negative behavior
Set up a routine that will help
your teen stay organized
Follow a routine that your teen can rely on
Use clocks and timers to set specific timed
goals
Connect with your teen through family
activities and conversation
Be willing to make some compromises
when necessary
Identify the primary complaint for your teen.
Know their triggers
Get involved in behavioral therapy to help your teen express
themselves more clearly
Develop beneficial habit changes within the home such as having enough sleep
Make lifestyle changes such as eating and exercising properly
ADD/ADHD - Attention Deficit
(Hyperactive) Disorder
Listen, talk and connect with your teen. Show that you
care through actions
Set limits and boundaries so that your teen is aware
of your expectations
Try to maintain predictable routines
and schedules
Help your teen express his or her
needs and emotions.
Be open and honest when
communicating
Take charge but remain calm.
Show that you can control
your emotions
RAD - Reactive Attachment Disorder
Establish clear rules. Rules should be few, fair, clear,
displayed, taught, and consistently enforced.
Have your teen participate in the establishment
of rules, routines, schedules, and expectations.
Structure family activities so the teen is not
always left out
Stay away from direct demands or statements
such as: “You need to..." or ”you must...”
Consider the use of technology. Teens
with conduct disorder tend to work
well on computers with active program
CD - Conduct Disorder
Always remember to address the need
for medication by seeing your doctor
Additional Tips for Parents
Establish rules and consequences -
when both you and your teen are calm, explain what
is expected from your teen and how you are there to
help them.
1
Be aware of triggers and anger
warning signs - when you and your teen
know what triggers them, they can work on
changing the situation.
2
Help your teen find ways to relieve
stress - leisure activities and exercise are a
great way to relieve stress.
3
Connect with your teen - be there for
your teen and listen to them but expect rejection in
some cases. Focus on the positive and move forward.
4
Take care of yourself - take breaks and
seek support.5
SOURCES:
http://help4adhd.org/en/living/parenting/WWK20B
http://parentingteens.about.com/od/disciplin1/tp/BehaviorProblemsInTeens.htm
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/guide/teenbehavioranddiscipline?page=2
http://www.empoweringparents.com/parentingoddchildrenandteenshowtomakeconsequ enceswork.php#
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/addadhd/attentiondeficitdisorderadhdparentingtips.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html http://healthresearchfunding.org/reactiveattachmentdisorderstatistics/
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/conductdisorder
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/teenissues/helpingtroubledteens.htm
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/addadhd/attentiondeficitdisorderadhdinchildren.htm
http://www.childmind.org/en/posts/articles/2014121behavioraltreatmentkidsadhd
ODD - Oppositional defiant disorder