Practitioner’s Guide to Behavioral Problems in Children

Glen Aylward is professor of pediatrics and psychiatry and director of the Division of Developmental and Behavior Pediatrics at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

• 1 Introduction.- Behavioral Problems in Infants and Young Children.- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-Primary Care (DSM-PC).- Suggested Questions for Psychosocial Screening.- Bidirectional Influences.- 2 Parenting Issues.- Family Considerations.- Dimensions of Parenting.- Parenting Profiles.- Other Parenting Issues.- Summary.- 3 Child Characteristics.- Cognitive Abilities.- Temperament.- Attachment.- Clinical Evaluation of Attachment.- Vulnerable Child Syndrome.- Spoiled Child Syndrome.- Summary.- 4 Externalizing Disorders.- Aggression.- Violence.- Oppositional-Defiant Disorder (ODD)/ Conduct Disorder (CD).- Developmental Subtypes of Aggression.- Protective Factors.- Assessment Framework.- Summary.- 5 Theories and Practice.- Maturational Theory.- Psychodynamic Model.- Psychosocial Model.- Cognitive Model.- Behavioral Model.- Summary.- 6 General Intervention Algorithm.- Identify/Define Problem.- Consider Other Issues.- Define Positive Behavior.- Describe Program/Choices.- Problem Behavior.- If Problem Behavior Occurs.- If Problem Behavior Does Not Occur.- 7 Specific Techniques.- Statements of Disapproval/Explanations.- Time Out.- Presentation of Aversive Stimuli.- Response Cost.- Token Systems.- Grab-bag/Treasure Chest.- Ignoring/Distracting.- Behavior Log/Diary.- Other Approaches/Considerations.- Applications.- 8 Applications.- Case 1. Aggression.- Case 2. Bedtime Problem.- Case 3. Time-Out Refusal.- Case 4. Toileting Problem.- Case 5. Homework problem.- Case 6. Problem with Separation.- Case 7. Refusal to Do Chores.- Case 8. School Difficulty.- Summary.- 9 Quick Reference: Signs, Reinforcements, Techniques, and Considerations.- Aggression (Young Child).- Aggression (Older Child).- Argumentativeness.- Bedwetting.- Excessive Fears.- Food Refusal.- Masturbatory Behavior.- Mutism.- Noncompliance.- Refusal to Take Medication.- School Behavioral Problem.- School Refusal.- Separation Issue.- Sibling Conflict.- Sleep Problem.- Soiling.- Somatic Concerns.- Temper Tantrums.- Thumbsucking.- Whining.- 10 Summary and Musings.- References.