Diagnosis
and treatment of Maladjusted Children
A. Diagnosis of Maladjustment: The following symptoms
give an indication of maladjustment if excessively used by children.
(a) Physical symptoms: Stuttering, stammering, scratching
head, facial twitching, biting nails, rocking feet, restlessness, drumming with
fingers and vomiting.
(b) Behaviour symptoms: Aggression, lying, bullying,
stealing, truancy, wandering, poor school achievement, frequent absence,
hyperactivity, withdrawal tendencies, negativism, and sex disturbances.
(c) Emotional symptoms: Excessive worry, fear, inferiority,
hatred, extreme timidity, tempers tantrum, persistent anxiety, conflicts and tension.
B. Detection of Maladjusted Children: The following
methods can be adopted for the detection of maladjusted children in the school:
1. Observation and Interview: The teacher can observe the
behaviour of children in the classroom, outside the classroom, on the play
ground, library and leisure time. He can held interview with those whom he
suspects maladjusted and can reach definite conclusion regarding individual case
of maladjustment.
2. Use of tests: There are a number of psychological tests,
inventories and rating scales to screen maladjusted children.
C. Treatment of maladjusted Children: There is no
specific technique in the treatment of maladjustment. Any good treatment should
begin with an understanding of the motives and attitudes behind the act, than
an analysis of the acts themselves. Some of the specific measures the teacher
can take to help the maladjusted children are the following:
1. The teacher should try to understand the cause behind the
deviant behaviour of the child.
2. He may educate the parents about effective child rearing
practices and healthy parent-child relationship.
3. He must ensure that the school atmosphere is conducive to
the well being of the child.
4. The teacher should adopt good mental health practices in the
school.
5. Serious cases of maladjustment should be referred to a
clinical psychiatrist for treatment.
6. Use simple psychotherapeutic techniques like group
therapy, play therapy and psycho-drama depending on the requirements of
specific cases.
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