Can you blame your child's extreme behavioral issues on your own (or your spouse's) parenting style? No! Regular, imperfect parenting works just fine on regular, imperfect children, enabling them to function adequately at home, school and elsewhere. When a child's behavior is on the extreme end of the curve (resulting in severe behavioral issues in one or more settings), genetic factors and/or traumatic (overwhelming, life-threatening, and/or physically & emotionally abusive) experiences are at play. In these cases, "professional," "therapeutic" parenting - and often actual professional, therapeutic intervention - is needed. Ordinary parenting skills that work well for other kids, including YOUR other kids, will not be sufficient with a very challenged child.
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