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Animal cruelty is more prevalent in children than one might expect, and various factors can play a role in the behavior. Whether a family pet or an insect in your yard, it makes sense to be concerned when you see your child cause another living creature pain.
When a child hurts animals, it is scary for parents and other family members. While hurting animals is not a symptom of ADHD, and many children with ADHD will never exhibit this behavior, there are reasons why animal abuse may be more likely in a child with the condition. So, what should you know?
First, we will discuss whether kids with ADHD are more likely to hurt animals and some of the possible reasons behind their behavior. Then, we'll talk about what steps parents can take to help.
Are Kids With ADHD More Likely To Hurt Animals?
3-44% of children are said to abuse animals at some point in their life, and children with ADHD are at an increased risk of doing so. Again, animal cruelty is not a symptom or characteristic of ADHD itself. Many factors can play a role and might explain the link.
For example, it's worthwhile to note that hurting animals and other abusive behaviors are signs of conduct disorder. Kids with ADHD are more likely to receive a co-occurring diagnosis of conduct disorder when compared to other children. In fact, it is said that 52% of kids with ADHD face behavior or conduct problems.
That said, this is only one possible reason a child may abuse animals. Even with conduct disorder, it is critical to explore what's happening under the surface and help your child.
Reasons Why Children with ADHD May Hurt Animals
Depending on factors like the severity of a child's behavior, the emotions a child displays before, after, and during hurting an animal, and what else is going on in their life, there can be diverse causes of animal cruelty in kids. However, hurting an animal on any level is never something to ignore. With this in mind, let's discuss some of the most prevalent reasons behind childhood animal abuse.
Abuse or exposure to violence
Research indicates that children who are exposed to domestic violence or who have experienced abuse themselves are at a greater risk of harming animals. Some children may harm an animal as a cry for help or a way of seeking attention when they don't know how to communicate that need. Other children may not know how to cope with their feelings, or they might repeat abusive behaviors seen in adults who are around them now or were in their lives in the past.
Trouble controlling emotions and impulses
Many children with ADHD experience impulsivity and trouble regulating emotions. Children may hurt animals unintentionally due to difficulty with impulse control, anger, or aggression. This is not an excuse for the behavior, but it is possible for kids to overcome it with education and support from mental health providers.
Difficulty understanding the consequences of their actions
Young children may be curious and act without thinking of the impact it will have. At times, this could extend to behaviors that harm animals. It's essential to explain to your child that it is never okay to hurt or mistreat an animal or another living being if you haven't done so already. Remain calm and discuss the impacts it has on the creature.
An increase in stress or anxiety
An increase in stress and anxiety can result in many different behaviors in kids. If something is bothering your child, even if it is not exposure to interpersonal violence in the home, it could play a role. ADHD and anxiety coexist together with children who suffer from the disorder.
Peer pressure
While a young child may hurt an animal out of curiosity, older children and teens may engage in the action if they experience peer pressure from others. In this instance, another child or teen will encourage the behavior.
Getting Help For Childhood Animal Abuse
When a child hurts animals, context matters. There is a difference between a small child who doesn't understand the impacts of their behavior vs. an older child who does. Regardless of a child's age, parents should take the time to explain why the behavior is wrong first. Stay focused and level during this conversation. When you speak with your child about animal cruelty, take note of their reaction. Are they sad and empathetic, or do they laugh it off?
If your child engages in ongoing patterns of animal abuse (if the behavior occurs on multiple occasions, increases in frequency, if a child does not seem regretful, or does not stop), it is imperative that you get professional help as soon as possible. Therapy is the ideal place to start. With a mental health professional, such as a child psychologist or therapist, kids can work through underlying concerns that may play a role in animal abuse, develop compassion, and stop the behavior.
Treatment Options for ADHD
When a child has ADHD, it is important to address their symptoms properly. When a child's ADHD is treated, ADHD symptoms such as impulsivity can lessen, helping a child gain more control over their behavior. Usually, it is recommended that parents take a combined approach to address ADHD. Most often, this involves the following treatments.
Parent Training
Parent training in behavior management is a type of therapy highly recommended for families with children below the age of twelve who have ADHD. In parent training, parents work with a mental health professional who walks them through helpful behavioral techniques to use in the home. These techniques may include but aren't limited to positive reinforcement for good behavior, consistent discipline for negative behaviors, and at-home activities parents will complete with their kids. As sessions continue, parents start to feel confident in addressing their child's specific behaviors. Parent training may be conducted in a group setting with other parents, or you may work with a provider individually.
There are different types of parent training used for ADHD and behavioral concerns. Most parents will engage in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Parent Management Training (PMT), or the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P).
Behavioral Therapy
In individual behavioral therapy, children work one-on-one with a mental health professional to meet specific behavior goals. Goals will change or progress throughout the course of treatment as your child learns and meets new milestones. Behavioral therapy is a great place to work on concerns like impulse control or understanding and expressing emotions effectively, which can be critical for kids with an ADHD diagnosis.
Like with parent training, behavioral therapy can come in different forms. A young child, for example, may engage in play therapy, whereas a different approach might be used for a child in middle school. Some kids may benefit from family or group therapy either as a starting point or alongside individual therapy.
If you are searching for a child psychologist, therapist, counselor, or social worker, in your area, look for one who is specially trained in or has experience working with ADHD or other relevant concerns that affect your unique child.
Medication
Medication is highly effective for ADHD symptoms and works for the majority of people with the disorder. In people with the disorder, ADHD medication can decrease the risk of many concerns, including substance abuse and criminal activity, and lead to better overall mental health. Most often, children will start with a low dose of stimulant medication, which may be taken 1-3 times per day. There are non-stimulant medication options for those who do not respond well to central nervous system stimulants.
If kids take medication for another condition, prescribers must take note of any possible medication interactions, so make sure that you tell them about any other medications your child is taking.
Other
A range of other treatments and forms of support can help children with ADHD. These can include but aren't limited to accommodations and extra assistance at school, occupational therapy, lifestyle adjustments (e.g., consistent routines, physical activity), and more. ADHD treatment alone is not enough for a child who harms animals. If a child hurts animals or experiences any other behaviors that are a cause of concern, share this with their medical providers or treatment team. A child's pediatrician should be able to provide referrals for therapists and other providers, but an online search may also help you find what you're looking for.
Try Joon To Help
Joon is an app created for children with ADHD and related disorders ages 6-12+. Using Joon is an excellent way to promote good behavior, task completion, and confidence in kids. Here's how it works:
First, adults download Joon Parent App and customize a to-do list for their child. You can add as many tasks, behaviors, or routines as you want. Kids connect with a separate app called Joon Pet Game. When children finish items on their to-do lists, they get rewards that allow them to take care of a virtual pet and move forward in the game. The app acts as a reward system that motivates children and helps them build positive habits.
90% of kids who use Joon finish all of their tasks, and many users say it has improved their parent-child relationship. Even better, Joon is backed by child psychologists, teachers, and occupational therapists.
Click here to claim your free trial.
Conclusion
Parents and other adults in a child's life have every right to feel concerned when a child hurts animals. Research on children and animal abuse shows that up to 44% of kids engage in animal cruelty at some point in their life. Some things can increase the risk, including living with ADHD and exposure to or directly experiencing domestic violence.
When kids treat animals poorly, it is critical to address it. First, parents should explain the impacts of animal abuse to help their children learn the impact of their actions. When kids engage in patterns of animal cruelty continuously, seek professional help right away.
Therapy is an ideal intervention for children who engage in animal cruelty. If your child has ADHD, it is vital that they have a solid treatment plan in place. Most often, ADHD treatment involves a combination of medication and therapy.
About
Dr. Carrie Jackson, PhD
