Occupational Therapist Perspective on Conduct Disorder | Cadabams CDC
An occupational therapist perspective on conduct disorder looks beyond “bad behaviour” to ask one simple question: “What daily life skills does this child need to succeed?” At Cadabams CDC, our paediatric OTs translate that question into measurable goals so parents see real-world change—at home, in school, and on the playground.
Why Occupational Therapy for Conduct Disorder? A Functional Lens
Beyond Behavior: Focusing on Function & Participation
Children diagnosed with conduct disorder (CD) often struggle to:
- Start or finish tasks without explosive anger
- Take turns or follow group rules
- Tolerate sensory triggers (noise, touch, bright lights)
Traditional discipline may stop a meltdown momentarily, but it rarely teaches the missing skills behind the behaviour. Occupational therapy flips the script by targeting the functional gaps that fuel defiance.
Occupational Therapy vs Behavioral Therapy for Conduct Disorder
| Occupational Therapy | Behavioral Therapy |
|---|---|
| Teaches how to do age-appropriate activities (self-care, play) | Teaches what behaviour is expected (rewards & consequences) |
| Uses sensory tools, motor coordination, cognitive strategies | Uses token boards, time-out, praise |
| Measures success by increased participation in daily routines | Measures success by reduced problem behaviour counts |
Both approaches help; together they create faster, longer-lasting change. That’s why Cadabams CDC runs an integrated model—OTs, psychologists, and special educators share one unified plan.
The Cadabam’s Integrated Approach
Holistic & Multi-Disciplinary Team Model
Every child is assigned a care coordinator who links:
- Occupational therapist (sensory & life-skills focus)
- Child psychologist (emotional & behavioural focus)
- Special educator (academic & cognitive focus)
Weekly case-review meetings keep goals aligned so parents receive one progress report, not three conflicting ones.
AI-Enhanced Assessment & Goal-Tracking
Our in-house app captures:
- Real-time sensory-trigger logs uploaded by parents
- Therapy-session videos coded for social interaction
- Executive-function checklists completed by teachers
Machine-learning algorithms flag patterns (e.g., “82% of aggression happens 10 minutes after noisy assembly”) so the OT can pre-teach coping strategies exactly when they’re needed.
Evidence-Based Occupational Therapy Interventions for Conduct Disorder
Sensory Processing & Self-Regulation Programs
Many children with CD experience sensory-seeking or sensory-over-responsive patterns. Our OTs use:
- Alert Programme (“How Does Your Engine Run?”) to help kids identify energy levels
- Weighted vests & pressure garments for proprioceptive calm
- Therapeutic brushing protocols to reduce tactile defensiveness
Randomised trials show a 30% reduction in aggression scores after 6 weeks of combined sensory interventions (Pollock et al., 2022).
Cognitive-Behavioral OT Techniques
We embed CBT principles into doing, not just talking:
- Stop-Plan-Do worksheets completed while building Lego models
- Role-play conflict resolution during cooperative cooking sessions
- Video modelling where the child watches himself succeed in a task, reinforcing positive self-talk
Social Skills & Cooperative Play Training
Group OT sessions use structured games (e.g., “Human Knot”, “Minefield”) to practise:
- Reading non-verbal cues
- Negotiating rules without an adult referee
- Repairing mistakes (apologising, shaking hands)
Parents receive a 5-minute clip after each session showing the skill of the week, so you can reinforce it at home.
Executive Function Coaching (Planning, Impulse Control)
We break big tasks into visual checklists:
- Morning routine broken into 4 picture cards
- “Ready, Set, Go” timer app that counts down 2-minute transitions
- Colour-coded school folders to reduce homework refusal
Setting Occupational Therapy Goals for Your Child
Measurable Functional Goals Examples
- “By December, Arjun will complete his morning routine (brush, dress, pack bag) in 20 minutes without verbal prompts on 4/5 school days.”
- “In 6 weeks, Kiara will use a calm-down breathing technique when frustrated, measured by zero physical aggression during 3 consecutive group OT sessions.”
Tracking Progress: Milestones & Parent Dashboard
Log in to our parent portal to view:
- Weekly sensory scores
- Video milestones (first time asking a peer to play)
- Therapist notes and next-week’s focus
Sensory Tools & Home Strategies Parents Can Use
Recommended Home Sensory Toolkit
- Theraband tied around chair legs for silent kicking
- Chewy tubes for oral seeking during homework
- Noise-reduction ear-muffs for shopping trips
- Stress balls labelled “Squeeze, Don’t Hit”
Creating a Regulation Corner
Pick a 1 × 1 m space. Add:
- Bean bag or floor pillow
- Fibre-optic lamp or lava lamp
- Choice cards: “I can hug myself / do wall push-ups / listen to music”
- 5-minute sand timer so the child knows breaks are temporary
Daily Routine Tips for Conduct Disorder
- Use “First-Then” language: “First finish cereal, then we leave for school.”
- Post a visual schedule at eye level—kids with CD often can’t decode verbal strings.
- Build in heavy-work chores (carrying groceries, making bed) to give a valid muscle outlet.
Step-by-Step OT Process at Cadabam’s CDC
Step 1: Online Intake & Insurance Verification
Upload your paediatrician referral; we confirm coverage within 24 hrs.
Step 2: Comprehensive OT & Sensory Evaluation
90-minute assessment including:
- Sensory Profile 2 parent questionnaire
- Motor-free visual perception test
- Classroom observation (with consent)
Step 3: Collaborative Goal Setting with Parents
We draft goals together; nothing is final until you say, “Yes, this matters to our family.”
Step 4: Individual & Group Therapy Sessions
- 45 min 1:1 weekly
- 60 min group fortnightly
- Home-programme videos sent after every session
Step 5: Progress Reviews & Plan Adjustments
Formal review every 12 weeks; goals tweaked sooner if mastery is reached.