Tantrums and BreathHolding Spells, Lying, Stealing, and Truancy, Aggression, Self-Injurious Behavior Flashcards
What are temper tantrums typically a response to in young children?
Temper tantrums are developmentally normative expressions of frustration with limitations or anger about unmet desires.
What triggers increase the likelihood of tantrums in young children?
Tiredness, hunger, and transitions can increase the likelihood of tantrums.
What preventive strategies can parents use to reduce tantrums?
Plan ahead by addressing triggers, set clear expectations, and acknowledge positive behaviors.
What approach should parents take when a child tantrums due to anger or sadness?
Parents should avoid yelling or threats, use choices to avert defiance, and ignore mild tantrums to prevent reinforcing negative behaviors.
How should parents handle unsafe tantrum behaviors?
Remove the child from the unsafe situation and place them in time-out.
What are breath-holding spells during tantrums?
Reflexive events where a crying child becomes apneic, pale or cyanotic, may lose consciousness, and occasionally has a brief seizure.
What are the subtypes of breath-holding spells?
Cyanotic, pallid, or mixed episodes.
What medical conditions should be ruled out in pallid breath-holding spells?
Seizures, Chiari crisis, familial dysautonomia, cardiac arrhythmias, cataplexy, hereditary hyperekplexia, and CNS lesions.
How can parents manage tantrums effectively?
Intervene before high distress, set clear expectations, distract the child, and use time-out calmly.
At what age is time-out most effective?
Time-out is effective for children up to approximately 10 years old.
What should parents model to help children manage anger?
Parents should model calm anger control and provide choices to reduce power struggles.
When is a mental health evaluation indicated for tantrums?
If tantrum behavior includes head banging, high aggression, or persists into preteen years.
What is the developmental purpose of lying in young children?
It is often an attempt to understand language, communication, rules, or to engage in fantasy.
Why do older children lie?
To maintain self-esteem, avoid negative consequences, or rebel against authority.
What is a parental strategy to address lying?
Create an atmosphere where it is easier to tell the truth and confront lies calmly with the expected behavior.
What is kleptomania and how is it treated?
An impulse-control disorder characterized by intense impulses to steal, treated with CBT and medications like SSRIs or naltrexone.
What are common reasons children steal?
Impulsive behavior, expressing anger, peer approval, or survival mechanisms in poverty.
What is the appropriate parental response to stealing?
Require restitution, explain expectations, and give consequences like loss of privileges or extra chores.
When is a mental health evaluation warranted for stealing?
If stealing is part of a pattern of broader conduct problems.
What are common causes of truancy in younger children?
Unsafe home environments, lack of supervision, or caretaker difficulties.
What factors contribute to truancy in preteens and adolescents?
Learning difficulties, social anxiety, depression, bullying, peer pressure, and substance use.
What are best practices for addressing school avoidance due to anxiety?
Address underlying psychological symptoms and create a consistent return-to-school plan.
Why do older children run away, and what risks do they face?
Running away often signals serious family problems and puts children at risk for substance abuse, exploitation, and other dangers.
What is the clinical significance of aggressive behavior in children?
Aggressive behavior is associated with significant morbidity and mortality; early intervention is crucial as children may not ‘grow out’ of aggressive tendencies.
