Behavioral Problems in Children

All children and teens act out from time to time. But a pattern of hostile, aggressive, or disruptive behavior in a child for more than six months may indicate a more serious condition. Psychologists and psychiatrists at the Child Study Center, part of Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, as well as our developmental–behavioral pediatricians diagnose and treat behavioral disorders in children and teens, including two serious types: oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder.

For a child with these conditions, inappropriate behavior is so frequent and consistent that it interferes with relationships and school performance.