From the author of the groundbreaking The Defiant Child comes the first book to connect explosive behavior—when kids go from Jekyll to Hyde and back in the blink of an eye—with its underlying causes.

Does your hitting, kicking, screaming child explode with so little provocation that you can't help but wonder if he’s possessed? Are his extreme tantrums becoming the stuff of playground legend? And are you about to lose your job because his daycare or school repeatedly asks you to pick him up early?

Dr. Douglas Riley’s ear-to-the-ground insights will give much-needed help to desperate parents who have one overriding question: Why does my child act like this? This compassionate yet no-nonsense therapist explains that explosive behavior is the mere tip of the iceberg. Instead of using a one-size-fits-all strategy, Dr. Riley identifies the eleven most common causes of explosions and accordingly tailors his treatment strategies to address the underlying cause of the behavior.

What Your Explosive Child Is Trying to Tell You is a lifeline for parents who are at their wits’ end.

DR. DOUGLAS RILEY is a clinical psychologist whose practice focuses on children and adolescents who are explosive, oppositional, depressed, or have difficulties with concentration and learning. He is the author of The Defiant Child: A Parent’s Guide to Oppositional Defiant Disorder as well as The Depressed Child: A Parent’s Guide for Rescuing Kids.

What if the tantrums aren’t about defiance, but about something else entirely?

Sensory Processing Disorder: Is your child overwhelmed by tags in their shirt, loud noises, or the seams in their socks? Learn to recognize the signs of sensory overload before it leads to a meltdown.
Anxiety and Hidden Fears: Discover why some children explode when faced with unexpected changes or transitions—and how to build their sense of safety.
ADHD and Impulsivity: Connect the dots between hyperactivity, inattention, and emotional outbursts. Dr. Riley provides strategies for helping wigglers and daydreamers manage their impulsivity.
Food Sensitivities and Allergies: Explore the surprising link between what your child eats and how they behave. Find out if common foods or additives could be the trigger for irritability.
Oppositional and Defiant Behavior: Understand the difference between a child who can’t cope and a child who won’t. Get tailored advice for handling power struggles without escalating the conflict.

What Your Explosive Child Is Trying To Tell You

What Your Explosive Child Is Trying To Tell You