| Some kids go through a biting phase when they are | | | | |
| young, but thankfully grow out of it fairly quickly. | | | | Try team sports or other forms of guided activity |
| Others suddenly go from being sweet and easy to | | | | Once the most serious reasons for the aggressive |
| deal with to being a ticking time bomb of tension and | | | | behavior are ruled out, it may only be a matter or |
| barely suppressed rage. Whether it is a phase they | | | | redirecting the energy that fuels the aggressive |
| need to grow out of or something more serious, | | | | outbursts. Giving the child a way to burn off energy |
| there are ways to deal with an aggressive child. | | | | or something to focus on can stem or even |
| Know your child's aggression triggers | | | | completely stop the negative behaviors. Karate or |
| Your child may act out at certain times or when over | | | | other forms of martial arts help children channel their |
| stimulated, hungry or very tired. For some children | | | | energy in a positive manner while learning |
| certain games or toys may bring out the aggression | | | | self-discipline. Joining a team teaches the child how to |
| and some kids may be triggered by certain people | | | | work with others as a unit. If they truly love the |
| (like certain friends). If you know the trigger, you can | | | | sport they will find a way to toe the line or face |
| watch for and head off aggressive bouts before | | | | being removed from the team. |
| they get started. | | | | Try alternate therapies if deemed necessary |
| Intervene before the aggression turns violent | | | | If the child does need counseling, traditional therapy |
| If you see that your child is about to go into a | | | | may not help very much. In fact, it is thought that in |
| kicking, screaming or other physical act of aggression, | | | | some children with aggressive tendencies that sitting |
| it is time to step in. Remind your child that it is never | | | | around and talking about feelings will make them |
| acceptable to put their hands on another person at | | | | even more prone to physical acts. Other forms of |
| any time. If you have to remove the child from the | | | | therapy may be less intimidating to them; these could |
| situation, do so as quickly and quietly as possible. If | | | | include play therapy, art therapy, pet therapy and |
| you are at someone else's home, you may have to | | | | music therapy. |
| leave. Remind your child about another incident that | | | | - In play therapy, the child will act out what makes |
| ended with leaving early and that it will continue to | | | | them feel aggressive and may begin to understand |
| happen until they have better control. | | | | how their behavior affects others. |
| Investigate reasons for the aggression | | | | - With art therapy, the child is encouraged to draw |
| If your child has gone from your sweet angel to the | | | | his feelings including the aggression. |
| town terror seemingly overnight, you must | | | | - Pet therapy pairs an aggressive child with a dog or |
| investigate why. Is the child in the middle of a growth | | | | cat and in some cases a horse so that they can learn |
| spurt? Is there a health or diet reason for the | | | | to care for another creature. |
| behavior? Is there a psychological reason for this | | | | - Finally, music therapy is very effective with |
| new aggression? Is the behavior isolated in one place | | | | aggression, even for those children who are exhibiting |
| or does the aggression show up regardless of where | | | | aggression in conjunction with autism. Make sure that |
| the child is? For some children, aggressive behavior | | | | you follow up with the aggressive behavior even |
| can be changed with diet, medications or counseling; | | | | after it seems to be gone, so that it does not return |
| for others it could be as simple as changing bedtimes | | | | unexpectedly. Patience and perseverance is the key |
| and adjusting schedules. | | | | when correcting the behavior of an aggressive child. |