The basic features of this group of disorders are a persistent pattern of behaviour which violates the social rules and rights of others. This pattern is typically present in both the home, school and the community.

In children and adolescents with this disorder physical aggression is common (and usually initiated by the child), and can take the form of bullying or cruelty to animals.

Destruction of other peoples property (possibly including fire-setting) and covert stealing is common. This can range from “borrowing” others’ possessions to shoplifting, forgery, car theft and burglary.

A child with this disorder frequently truants from school, cheats at their school work and displays callous behaviour. They frequently use tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs at an unusually early age and are sexually precocious.

3 or more of the following incidents should have occurred over a period of at least 6 months. The more frequent the number of incidents or the greater number of types occurring, the more severe the case of disorder:

1. child has stolen covertly from a victim on more than one occasion (including forgery).
2. child has run away from parental/surrogate home overnight at lest twice (or once without voluntarily returning).
3. child often lies (other than to avoid harm).
4. child has deliberately engaged in fire-setting.
5. child is often truant from school.
6. child has broken into someone else’s house, building, or car.
7. child has deliberately destroyed other’s property (other than fire-setting).
8. child has been physical cruel to animals.
9. child has coerced/forced other into sexual activity.
10. child has used a weapon in more than one fight.
11. child often initiates physical fights (bullying etc.).
12. child has stolen with physical confrontation of victim (e.g. mugging, purse-snatching, extortion).
13. child is frequently physically cruel to others.

“Childhood Behavioural Disorders and Emotional Disturbance: An Introduction to”, S.J. Apter & J.C. Conoley (1994), London, Prentice-Hall.

“Conduct Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence: A Social Learning Perspective” M. Herbert (1987) 2nd edition, Chichester, Wiley.

“Disruptive Behaviour Disorders in Children”, D. K. Routh (1994), London, Plenum Press.

“Disruptive Behaviour Disorders in Children: Treatment Focused Assessment”, M.J. Breen & T.S. Altepter (1990). USA, Guilford Press.

“The Impossible Child”, D.A. Lane (1990), Stoke on Trent, Trentham Books.

Excellent UK resources, accessible for both children and teachers can be found at The BBC Survival Guide to Bullying , at The Kidscape Site and at ChildLine: Bullying and How to Beat It.

More links can be found at The Internet Mental Health Pages: Conduct Disorders