Every child experiences big emotions — frustration, sadness, excitement, and even anger. But when certain behaviours start affecting daily life, many parents feel confused:
“Is my child being stubborn, or is something deeper going on?”
At Jewel Autism & Child Development Center, we often meet parents who mistake emotional struggles for stubbornness. In reality, many difficult behaviours are a child’s way of saying “I need help” — especially when they cannot express their feelings through words.
In this blog, we’ll help you understand the early signs, emotional struggles, and behaviours that may indicate your child needs behaviour therapy.
✅ 1. Stubbornness vs Emotional Struggle — What’s the Difference?
Stubbornness is usually temporary and happens in specific situations.
But emotional struggles often show up across different environments — home, school, playground — and last longer.
Stubborn behaviour
- Happens occasionally
- Child listens after some time
- Trigger is clear (not getting a toy, bedtime, etc.)
Emotional struggle
- Frequent meltdowns or anger
- Difficulty calming down
- Behaviour seems “out of control”
- No clear reason behind reactions
If your child is showing the second pattern, it may be more than stubbornness.
✅ 2. Early Signs That Your Child Is Struggling Emotionally
✔ Frequent Tantrums or Meltdowns
If tantrums happen multiple times a day or last more than 20–30 minutes, it may be an emotional regulation issue — not misbehaviour.
✔ Difficulty Expressing Feelings
Children who cannot say “I’m sad,” “I need help,” or “I’m scared” often express emotions through behaviours — hitting, crying, shouting, throwing objects.
✔ Sudden Regression
Some children start:
- Clinging more
- Avoiding activities they once enjoyed
- Losing skills (toilet training, speech, routines)
Regression is often a sign of stress, anxiety, or sensory overload.
✔ Excessive Clinginess or Separation Anxiety
If your child becomes unusually clingy or cries intensely when separated from parents, it may be an emotional response rather than bad behaviour.
✅ 3. Behaviours Parents Often Mistake as ‘Stubbornness’
Many behaviours that look like mischief are actually signs of emotional difficulty:
✔ Acting Out
Hitting, biting, screaming, or pushing are common when a child cannot communicate their needs.
✔ Not Following Instructions
Sometimes children are not “disobedient” — they may be overwhelmed, anxious, distracted, or struggling with sensory issues.
✔ Difficulty Adjusting to Change
Children who panic or cry when routines change often need emotional support, not discipline.
✔ Overreaction to Small Problems
Dropping a toy, losing in a game, or a small disturbance may lead to big emotions when a child is struggling internally.
✅ 4. When Should Parents Consider Behaviour Therapy?
Behaviour therapy can help if your child:
- Has frequent emotional outbursts
- Shows aggressive behaviour
- Finds it hard to manage frustration
- Does not respond to usual parenting strategies
- Avoids social interactions
- Has difficulty adapting to change
- Becomes overly sensitive or withdrawn
- Shows developmental regressions
Behaviour therapy focuses on understanding why the behaviour happens and teaches children healthy ways to express emotions, communicate, and cope with challenges.
✅ 5. How Behaviour Therapy Helps Your Child
At Jewel Autism & Child Development Center, our behaviour therapists help children:
- Build emotional regulation skills
- Reduce tantrums and aggression
- Improve communication
- Increase social skills
- Develop coping skills for anxiety
- Follow routines and instructions better
- Boost confidence and independence
Therapists also guide parents with techniques they can use at home.
✅ 6. Final Thoughts: Behaviour Is a Language
Every difficult behaviour is a message.
Instead of viewing it as stubbornness, try asking:
“What is my child trying to communicate?”
With early identification and the right support, children learn to express themselves, manage emotions, and feel secure — leading to healthier behaviour and happier families.
