Disruptive Behavior Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified, Preschool

You said that your child talks back, argues, does not do what you ask, is aggressive, fights, and/or steals. You also said that your child is having some problems at home or other places because of this. Children who have these types of problems often have something called Disruptive Behavior Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified.

Your child acts in one or more of the following ways:

• Often has temper tantrums
• Argues a lot with adults
• Refuses to do what adults tell him/her to do
• Tries to annoy or upset people on purpose
• Blames others for his/her mistakes or behavior
• Is touchy or easily annoyed by others
• Often angry; Holds a grudge
• Mean and hateful talking when upset
• Seeks revenge or tries to "get even"

Fighting with or Hurting Others

• Bullies, threatens or frightens others on purpose
• Starts physical fights
• Hurts people or animals on purpose
• Has used a weapon (e.g. a bat, brick, broken bottle, knife or gun) in order to hurt someone else
• Has attacked someone and stolen from them

Breaking Things or Setting Fires

• Sets fires on purpose
• Breaks or ruins other people's things on purpose

Lying or Stealing

• Has broken into someone else's building, house, or car
• Lies to obtain goods or favors or to get out of things
• Steals items when others are not around (e.g. shoplifting)

Does Not Follow Rules

• Often stays out at night even though parents tell him/her to come home earlier
• Runs away from home

Adapted in part from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Primary Care (DSM-PC) (1996).