Speech Therapist Perspective on Conduct Disorder – Listing Page
If your child’s behaviour has become aggressive, impulsive, or disruptive at home or school, you may have heard the term conduct disorder. At Cadabams CDC, our speech therapist perspective on conduct disorder focuses on the communication gaps that often fuel these behaviours. By teaching clearer, calmer ways to express needs and emotions, we help children—and their families—replace conflict with connection.
Quick Snapshot: What Parents & Schools Get
Key Benefits of Speech Therapy
- Better emotional regulation: Children learn to label feelings instead of acting them out.
- Stronger peer relationships: Improved pragmatics lead to smoother play and classroom interactions.
- Reduced disciplinary incidents: Fewer physical or verbal outbursts in school settings.
Treatment Timeline Overview
| Stage | Typical Duration | Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| Screening & Evaluation | 1–2 weeks | Baseline language-behaviour profile |
| Intensive Therapy Block | 8–12 weeks | Observable decrease in aggression |
| Maintenance & Review | 3–6 months | Generalisation across home, school, and community |
How Speech Therapy Helps Children With Conduct Disorder
Targeting Pragmatic Language Deficits
Children with conduct disorder often miss subtle social cues—tone of voice, facial expression, or conversational turn-taking. Our speech therapists use structured games and peer-group tasks to sharpen these skills, reducing misinterpretations that spark fights.
Reducing Aggressive Communication Patterns
Instead of yelling or hitting, we coach replacement phrases like “I need space” or “Can we take turns?” Practised in real-life scenarios, these words become the child’s new default response.
Building Emotional Vocabulary
Limited word choice (“mad”, “bad”) keeps anger at boiling point. We expand the lexicon to include “frustrated”, “jealous”, “disappointed”, giving children precision tools to describe and defuse big feelings.
Step-by-Step Assessment Process
Initial Screening Call
A 15-minute phone chat with our care-coordinator gathers your concerns and explains what to expect. Slots are available within 48 hours.
Comprehensive Language & Behaviour Evaluation
- Standardised measures: Receptive and expressive language tests.
- Observational checklists: Playground and classroom snapshots.
- Parent–Teacher questionnaires: Insights into daily triggers and strengths.
Goal Setting With Parents & Teachers
Together we craft 3–5 SMART goals (e.g., “Initiate a peer conversation using three sentences without physical prompting”) that guide every session.
Personalised Treatment Plans
One-to-One Sessions
Held in child-friendly therapy rooms, each 45-minute session blends tabletop tasks and movement-based activities to keep attention high and frustration low.
School-Based Collaboration
Our therapists shadow classrooms and co-teach with educators, ensuring new communication skills transfer directly into academic and social routines.
Home Practice Toolkits
You receive a monthly kit with:
- Visual cue cards.
- Daily 5-minute role-play scripts.
- QR-linked videos demonstrating techniques to use at mealtimes or bedtime.
Techniques & Activities We Use
Role-Play for Social Scenarios
From lining up at recess to handling teasing, we act out scenes so the child scripts and rehearses positive responses before real-life exposure.
Narrative Story Retelling
Using wordless picture books, the child retells stories to strengthen sequencing, empathy, and perspective-taking—core skills for conduct disorder management.
Video Modeling & Self-Monitoring
Short clips show peers resolving conflict calmly. Children then rate their own behaviour on a 1–5 scale, boosting self-awareness and accountability.
Progress Markers Parents Should Watch For
- Improved Turn-Taking in Conversation: Fewer interruptions at family dinner.
- Decrease in Physical Outbursts: Observable drop in pushing or hitting incidents at school.
- Better Conflict Resolution Words: Use of “I feel…” statements when toys are shared or denied.