As a Child development centre with over 20 years of experience in developmental pediatrics, We’ve observed that behavioural challenges in children such as tantrums, hyperactivity, defiance, social withdrawal, and difficulties with emotional regulation are among the most common concerns parents bring to clinics. These issues often associate with developmental delays, neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), family dynamics, genetics and other environmental factors. In India, many families turn to established approaches like behavior therapy programs, child behavior therapy centres in India, sessions with a behaviour therapist, cognitive-behavioural counselling, various behavioural therapy techniques, child developmental therapy, sensory integration, occupational theraphy and developmental delay therapy. These methods, including Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), positive reinforcement, time-outs, cognitive restructuring, CBT, mind mapping and parent-child interaction strategies, form the backbone of intervention in numerous centres across the country.
Behavioural Challenges in Children: Practical Guidance for Parents
While these conventional therapies have demonstrated value in managing surface-level behaviours and teaching specific skills, they can sometimes focus more on symptom reduction or isolated techniques rather than holistic, integrated development. In our extensive clinical and research experience, this approach may yield incremental progress but often falls short in delivering rapid, sustainable, functional outcomes especially when underlying social reciprocity, emotional engagement, and family dynamics are not prioritized.
New Horizons Child Development Centre, founded in 2003 by Dr. Samir Dalwai, has supported over 25,000 children across its centres, with a multidisciplinary team delivering compassionate, measurable care. Parents frequently share how the New horizons Developmental Program (NHDP) has turned worry into hope, with children gaining confidence, independence, and joy in everyday life.
At New Horizons Child Development Centre (NHCDC) in Mumbai, we take a distinctly different path through our proprietary New Horizons Developmental Program (NHDP). Unlike the majority of behaviour therapy centres in India that rely primarily on standard behavioural therapy techniques or cognitive-behavioural counselling, NHDP is a comprehensive, outcome- focused, child-cantered protocol grounded in evidence-based principles, including the New Horizons Social Behaviour and Communication (NHSBC) sequence. This program evaluates each child’s current developmental achievements and maps a clear, personalized pathway to the next milestone across motor, speech, behavioural, social, and learning domains.
Evidence from NHCDC’s work speaks volumes. In a study involving 114 children with ASD and echolalia (repetitive speech), participation in NHDP featuring parental coaching and reduced excessive verbal prompting resulted in echolalia reduction in nearly 72% of participants by eight weeks, with significant improvements in eye contact (over 84%) and gestural skills (over 82%). These gains highlight how NHDP outperforms many traditional developmental delay therapy methods by fostering engagement and emotional regulation, showing high level of long lasting effectiveness.
Real-world success stories illustrate the difference. Families often report noticeable shifts within 6-8 weeks: children who once struggled with tantrums during routine activities like haircuts achieve calm, adaptive experiences through gradual exposure and enhanced human engagement. One case involved a four-year-old boy with ASD, hyperactivity, and limited communication; after 16 months in NHDP, he progressed from echolalia and social disengagement to meaningful conversations, emotional regulation, and peer interactions—outcomes that many standard child developmental therapy approaches struggle to achieve at the same pace.
Parental empowerment is another cornerstone. While some behaviour therapy programs offer limited family involvement, NHDP integrates the innovative E-nable online coaching program. Parents learn practical, home-based strategies aligned with daily routines such as minimizing screen time, promoting physical activity, and using strategies to support progress seamlessly. This caregiver-mediated model makes intervention cost-effective, culturally sensitive, and scalable, particularly in diverse Indian & global contexts.
In conclusion, while behaviour therapists, cognitive-behavioural counselling, and conventional behavioural therapy techniques play important roles in India’s child development landscape, the New Horizons Developmental Program (NHDP) at New Horizons Child Development Centre offers a novel, integrated alternative. By focusing on potential, family involvement, and functional milestones, NHDP consistently delivers amazing, lasting results empowering children to thrive not just in therapy sessions, but in real-world interactions. If your child faces behavioural or developmental challenges, consider an evaluation at a centre like NHCDC; early, holistic intervention can redefine possibilities.