Behavioural Therapy for Conduct Disorder | Cadabam’s CDC
Parenting a child who shows repeated aggression, defiance or rule-breaking can feel isolating—yet behavioural therapy for conduct disorder is proven to turn these patterns around. At Cadabam’s CDC we combine decades of child-mental-health expertise with warm, practical support for parents. This guide explains conduct disorder, shows how cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) works and walks you through our step-by-step programme.
What is Conduct Disorder? Key Symptoms & Causes
Recognising conduct disorder symptoms in children and teens
Look for a persistent pattern (12 months or more) of behaviours such as:
- Aggression to people or animals—bullying, fights, cruelty
- Destruction of property—fire-setting or vandalism
- Deceitfulness or theft—lying, shoplifting, conning others
- Serious rule violations—truancy before age 13, running away from home
Root causes: biological, environmental and family risk factors
- Biological—genetic predisposition, low resting heart rate, neurotransmitter imbalance
- Environmental—exposure to violence, inconsistent discipline, peer delinquency
- Family—parental substance use, harsh parenting, marital conflict
How conduct disorder differs from personality disorders
- Timeline: Conduct disorder is diagnosed in childhood or adolescence; antisocial personality disorder cannot be diagnosed before 18.
- Flexibility: Children’s brains are more plastic; early behavioural therapy for conduct disorder can prevent progression to adult patterns.
Why Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Works for Conduct Disorder
Evidence behind CBT for disruptive behaviour
Over 60 randomised controlled trials show CBT reduces aggression, improves school attendance and lowers risk of future offending. Meta-analyses find medium to large effect sizes, especially when parents are involved.
Core components: problem-solving, anger control, social-skills training
- Problem-solving: Children learn to identify triggers, brainstorm options and foresee consequences.
- Anger control: Relaxation, self-talk and timeout skills reduce impulsive aggression.
- Social-skills training: Role-plays and peer modelling build empathy and cooperative play.
Comparison with other therapies: Multisystemic & Mode Deactivation
| Approach | Focus | Best For | Evidence | Cadabam’s CDC Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBT | Thoughts → Behaviour | Mild to moderate CD | Strong | Core protocol |
| Multisystemic Therapy (MST) | Family, school, peers | Severe, chronic CD | Moderate | Referral tie-ups |
| Mode Deactivation Therapy (MDT) | Trauma linked to aggression | CD + PTSD | Emerging | Add-on when needed |
Our Step-by-Step Behavioural Therapy Process at Cadabam’s CDC
Initial assessment & diagnosis of conduct disorder
- Clinical interview with child and parents
- Standardised tools: Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), DISC-IV
- Risk screen for self-harm and substance use within 24 hours
Individualised CBT plan with measurable goals
- SMART goals: “Reduce physical fights at school from 3 per week to 0 in 8 weeks.”
- Weekly sessions (45–60 min) using worksheets, games and role-play
- Token economy at home linked to school feedback
Parent training & family therapy sessions
- Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) modules every fortnight
- Communication coaching: active listening, clear commands, consistent consequences
- Sibling support circles to reduce scapegoating
Progress tracking, booster sessions & discharge criteria
- Monthly graphs of aggression, school compliance and family harmony
- Booster sessions at 1, 3 and 6 months post-discharge
- Graduation: child meets 80 % of goals for 8 consecutive weeks and parents report confidence in handling crises.
Program Highlights & Child-Friendly Features
Dina Dinosaur social-skills group for younger children
- 8-week puppets-and-play curriculum
- Builds sharing, problem-solving and emotional vocabulary
One-on-one CBT sessions for adolescents
- Private, teen-friendly lounge
- Topics include dating violence, online ethics and career goals
Collaboration with schools for behaviour reinforcement
- Teacher liaison visits each term
- Behaviour report card shared via secure app
- On-campus workshops for peer educators
24/7 on-call support for crisis management
- Trained counsellors reachable through WhatsApp
- Emergency de-escalation plan shared with parents within 15 minutes
Success Stories & Prognosis
Real-life case: reduction in aggression within 6 weeks
Arjun*, 11, came with weekly school fights and police warnings for stone-throwing. After six CBT sessions plus parent training:
- Physical fights dropped from 4 to 0
- School issued first “Positive Behaviour” certificate
- Parents reported calmer evenings at home *Name changed for privacy
Long-term outlook: preventing juvenile offending
Five-year follow-up data from Cadabam’s CDC show:
- 78 % of children who completed CBT had zero police contact by age 18
- Academic performance improved by one grade level on average
Parent testimonials video (embedded)
“We went from daily shouting matches to actually laughing at dinner. Cadabam’s team stood by us every single step.” — Aisha, mother of 13-year-old