Parents looking for effective therapy methods to help a struggling young boy can learn about how we help boys who experience problems of impulsivity at our rustic boarding school and ranch in rural Wyoming. 

Oasis Boys Ranch’s counseling staff understands that parents want to send a child to a safe, monitored environment where their boy receives personal care, and individual therapies that help heal emotional and mental disorders–whether brought on by trauma, foster care, adoption or family genetics. 

And while the young boy or teen enrolls our behavioral therapy boarding school for counseling, treatment, and improving academic/life skills, Oasis Boys Ranch also helps boys who struggle with impulsivity improve their mental and physical health in the great outdoors.

Recognizing Impulsivity in Young Boys

Impulsivity becomes a problem when it puts a child in danger or causes disruptions at home or in school. Impulsive children have different ways of expressing themselves, but the most common signs to look out for are:  1

Interruption: He or she may interrupt parents, teachers, or friends, either by speaking over them or acting out.

Impatience: An impulsive child will show a degree of impatience. They may not understand the concepts of “waiting one’s turn” or sharing. In the classroom, they speak out of turn, blurt out answers, or grab toys from other students.

Inappropriate communication: A child may speak, yell, or laugh at inappropriate times.

Danger: A child may participate in dangerous activities without thinking about the consequences.

Emotional outbursts.

Is Impulse Control Disorder the Cause?

A person with an impulse control disorder is often unable to resist the sudden, forceful urge to do something that may violate the rights of others or conflict with societal norms. These impulsive behaviors may occur repeatedly, quickly and without consideration of the consequences of the actions. Pyromania (intentionally starting fires) and kleptomania (the urge to steal) are well-known examples, but there are others.

Signs and Symptoms of Impulse Control Disorder

There are some signs and symptoms that may point to an impulse control disorder in some individuals. It is not always easy to identify a disorder, but the following flags may be cause for attention.

• Behavioral symptoms: Stealing, lying,  starting fires, risky or promiscuous behavior, aggressive or volatile behaviors
• Cognitive symptoms: Obsessive behavior, being irritable or agitated, flying into a rage, and poor concentration abilities
• Social and emotional symptoms: Low self-esteem, social withdrawal or isolation, detachment and/or anxiety, drastic shifts in thoughts and moods.

When the emotional toll, or impulsive behavior becomes unmanageable or seriously disrupts everyday life, the likely cause is an impulse control disorder.

Some risk factors include:

• Being male (males are more prone to impulse control disorders than females)
• Genetic predisposition
• Chronic drug or alcohol use
• Being subjected to trauma, abuse, or neglect
• Exposure to violence or aggression

Certain types of chemical imbalances may contribute to an impulse control disorder in some individuals. Additional mental health issues, such as depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), often coexist in people with an impulse control disorder.

Experiential Activities Helps Boys Change Behavior

That’s why Oasis Boys Ranch welcomes young boy students who struggle with impulsive behavior and choices that can harm his life and future.

Experienced counselors address your child’s symptoms to determine if his impulsivity is a symptom of other mental disorders, or not, and create an individual treatment plan to follow. 

We also provide nutritious meals, and healthy exercise and activities. Our outdoor program helps young boys reconnect with the natural world and establish a personal foundation that is rooted in Christian values and principles. Located in the mountains of Wyoming, our beautiful cattle ranch is home to a program that gives them a better way to live life. 

We want each boy student to experience effective counseling and learning, as well as improve his daily life at school, and back home with family.

If you want to learn more about how we treat boys who struggle with impulsivity at our behavioral treatment boarding school, please call (307) 645-3363 now.

We look forward to speaking with you about how we can help your young boy at Oasis Boys Ranch in rural Wyoming.

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Sources:

1. https://otsimo.com/en/impulsivity-impulsive-behavior-children/
2. https://www.verywellmind.com/impulsive-behavior-2797366