Abstract:
Children going through emotional disturbance undergo a lot of challenges. They are unable to learn, create and maintain normal relationships with their family and peers, depict weird behaviours especially in normal situations, and express moods of unhappiness all the time. They are always developing symptoms even when nothing seems to be wrong. These children show maladaptive behaviours such as aggression, immaturity, withdrawal, hyperactivity, and indifference towards things of interest to other children their age. This research is meant to come up with ways to assist these children so that they can overcome these behaviours and lead normal lives. I will apply Piaget’s theory of cognitive to come up with possible solutions.
There is no known cause of emotional disturbance. It can affect anyone of any age, culture, or religion. Maladaptive behaviours are more prevalent in individuals who have learning disabilities [ CITATION Rob04 \l 2057 ]. The most appropriate method of handling these behaviours is therefore quite unclear. I have done thorough research on possible solutions to these behaviours, and I have come up with several ideas.
For starters, special educational programs for children suffering from maladaptive behaviours should be implemented in schools. These programs could provide the necessary behavioural and emotional support required by these children. The programs can also assist them in mastering academics, improve their self-esteem, self-control, and self-awareness, as well as improve on their social skills [ CITATION Rob04 \l 2057 ]. The schools should also integrate strategies to address these behaviours, such as positive behaviour strategies and interventions, such as group therapy.
As a psychosocial specialist, I have found out that counselling emotionally disturbed children is a great help towards their advancement. Counselling provides an arena where these children can talk about what is troubling them, and this can help in the determination of the best way to help them. Counselling also enables a psychosocial specialist like me to assess a child’s behaviour through discussion, modelling, and rehearsal [ CITATION Rob04 \l 2057 ]. This procedure can help improve a child’s relation to other people by enabling him or her to control his or her behaviour towards other people, especially aggression.
Emotionally disturbed children suffer from feelings of unworthiness and un-appreciation, and it is therefore important to always assure them that they are loved and appreciated by their family members. These children should be provided with special services based on their needs, and the family members taking care of them should be aware of all aspects of the care they are receiving[ CITATION Rob04 \l 2057 ] . All these services should be coordinated between school and home with smooth transitions to ensure stability.
Instead of grown-ups enforcing decisions for the children, they can leave them to make decisions for themselves. This moves the relationship from asymmetrical to cooperative, since peers are at the same level, and thus power is evenly distributed. This power distribution enables each child to present his or her own views, and also listen and consider someone else’s. The child can also defend his own ideas, instead of just going along with the decisions made by others. When a child’s thinking is not restricted by a governing influence, a favourable condition for the formation of productive solutions to problems is created. Cooperative relations therefore provide the environment for the emergence of ideas and solutions, which, according to Piaget, demands the absence of any controlling force.
It is therefore important to create an environment whereby routines and rules are predictable to ensure that the children have stability in their lives. Supportive therapeutic activities such as listening to music, exercise, art, and various other relaxation techniques are an important aspect when trying to solve these problems. Children suffering from these behaviours should also be rewarded for any right action done. This gives them the confidence to do the right thing. These ideas may not completely solve the problems, but implementing them is a definite positive step in the right direction.
References
Robert Bruce Rutherford, M. M. (2004). Handbook of research in emotional and behavioral
disorders. New York: Guilford Press.
