Living With Conduct Disorder

Consequences And Rewards

Part of a positive disciplinary routine is a clearly established set of consequences and rewards. Aggression and disobedience need to have a firm and calm response. A simple time-out may, in fact, seem too simplistic but it is effective when consistent. Sociable behavior needs to have rewards and praise. Hundreds of common daily interactions that are successfully undertaken by the child and responded to with praise and rewards can substantially modify a child's behavior. For example, rather than shouting at a child for running, praise children whenever they walk quietly, so they do so more frequently. Consequences and rewards train a child to think before acting about whether the action will receive an unwanted consequence or a desired reward.