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Child Has Become More Aggressive. Underlying Cause?

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Posted on Sat, 14 Sep 2013
Question: i have 4 /12 year old son studying in lkg. Off late he has become more aggressive
doctor
Answered by Dr. Arun (55 minutes later)
Hi,

I can understand that your kid has become more aggressive of late.

In this situation, I think we need to rule out few medical conditions like anemia and worm infestations. Your pediatrician can perform tests to rule them out.

Dealing with an aggressive kid needs certain methods like
1. Never beat or scold excessively
2. Be calm and patient
3. Withdraw his favorite toys for misbehaving
4. Remove him from the place or room or area where he is behaving so.give him time out for few minutes in a calm place .
5. Be consistent in your behavior. You cannot have different attitude towards your kid at different times.
6. Try talking to his teachers and friends to understand his behavior in school and how he deals with friends.

Hope I answered your query. Let me know if you need clarifications.

Regards
Dr XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Arun (33 minutes later)
I have spoken to the class teacher also. She has punished him many times and even she pampered him. She has tried to make him understand how it hurts others. I will stop beating him as you said. I have even tried to ask him when he is cool for example the other day he broke one of his class mate's ear aid.When i asked he told that he thought it is a toy. I even checked with the lady who takes care of him in our absence after his school. She told me that he has lunch and goes to sleep for 4 to 5 hours. then gets up and does his homework and watches tv. Sometimes he tries to do some mischief and she tries to correct he does not listen. Even at home i try to stop him calmly also he does not bother. Often he does not reply if i advise him. Pretends as if he did not hear what i have told him. He is stubbon at times. Like yesterday i took him for shopping he started asking for a finger ring. He has seen his father wearing for office. I told him not to wear gold ring for school. He made such a noise on the road and even in the shop till i could buy he started hitting me back with the plastic bat what he had and i was very calm and tried my best to stop him. He even tried to bite. I did not allow. After a long time he became calm. It was very difficult for me to handle him in the public. Last week also he was biting teeth and was trying to hit me back in a shop. I took him home. Later he himself became calm. When he realsied that i am not speaking to him. He started watching me for sometime and tried to ask why i am quiet. Then i told if you keep on hurting others. I will not speak. Then he said he will become a good boy. Again he started the same thing yesterday i.e after two days. If we try to correct him or try to stop him from doing something. He does it more. two days i took him out for park then made him play with other children in the neighborhood. But found him more stubborn and was trying to do everyone on his own and was not allowing others to play. I even saw him slapping his friend because she insisted her father to buy ice cream and i told her not to have since she gets throat pain He heard me telling her not to have and he went and slapped her saying when mama is telling you not to have why are you forcing your father to buy. His teacher is fed up with him. Even at times i am not able to control. His father has slapped him two to three times for throwing things in the house and not listening anyone. He loves watching cartoons which are more aggressive like power rangers. Please doctor how to deal with him. I am scared where his school management will suspend him as i have taken lot of trouble to admit him to this school. Please guide me. If i tell his father there is no use. He does not like him showing him to a psychiatrist. Unnecessary arguments will crop up in front of son which i dont want to do.. Please guide me.
In continuation to my previous question, if i ask him about his behaviour in the school he keeps lying saying teacher has told he is very good. I thought he must have changed. After two weeks i went and met his teacher and got to know that he is troubling too much and she is not able to control. She was feeling very bad for punishing him also. Saying out 48 students in the class if anyone asks who is the smartest kid she will prefer my son. I am very much worried about him doctor. kindly help.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Arun (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Do NOT BEAT him.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I understand your concern. I have had similar complaints from many parents. Many children behave this way; but beating him and punishing him is not the way to handle this problem.
Do NOT BEAT him - it's for you and your husband and teacher too.
DO Take him away from the fussy place if he behaves bad

Restrict him from watching television. It's the IDIOT BOX in true sense esp Cartoons. Instead of television recommend him other play or study activities.

This seems to be an unsolvable problem to you; but don't worry , as he is the smart kid, these temper tantrums should go away soon. Keep talking and explain to him repeatedly that his behaviour is bad. Ask him and suggest some appropriate behaviour and reward him every time if he is good. Rewarding him for right behavior and discussing about bad behaviour and manners is the way to handle this issue. With time, your kid will grow up to be normal and sociable.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you need clarifications.


Regards
Arun
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Arun (30 minutes later)
Thank you doctor for your suggestions. We will definitely follow. I will try my best to change him calmly as by your direction. As it might take sometime for him to behave normally, i have a concern in case if he happens to repeat this again in the school and the management decides to take some action what should i do. As his teacher has tried to take him to the principal thrice last week. He got scared and told he will not repeat but again started same thing. I am worried it should not effect his career and one of my husband's friend's son who is in 7th standard used to behave same way finally the school management suspended him. Kindly advise.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Arun (4 minutes later)
Hi,

I can be of little help to make the school management realize that nothing is abnormal here. In this circumstance I sincerely hope your kid normalises soon.


If nothing helps and if the situation is really bad, don't hesitate to go together to a child psychologist. One on one discussion (which unfortunately is restriction of online consultation) with psychologist can gradually bring out changes in your child.
Hope you turn off cartoons and spend more time together. Try a break, holiday on regular intervals.

You can write back for further assistance.

Regards
Arun
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Arun

Pediatrician, Pulmonology

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 1965 Questions

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Child Has Become More Aggressive. Underlying Cause?

Hi,

I can understand that your kid has become more aggressive of late.

In this situation, I think we need to rule out few medical conditions like anemia and worm infestations. Your pediatrician can perform tests to rule them out.

Dealing with an aggressive kid needs certain methods like
1. Never beat or scold excessively
2. Be calm and patient
3. Withdraw his favorite toys for misbehaving
4. Remove him from the place or room or area where he is behaving so.give him time out for few minutes in a calm place .
5. Be consistent in your behavior. You cannot have different attitude towards your kid at different times.
6. Try talking to his teachers and friends to understand his behavior in school and how he deals with friends.

Hope I answered your query. Let me know if you need clarifications.

Regards
Dr XXXXXXX