Types of Problems
I
Biological | Emotional | Social | Behavioral | Developmental | Health-related | Academic | Family-based
II
- High risk behaviors.
e.g., delinquency, substance abuse/dependency, and sexual behaviors
- Coping with stressful life events.
e.g., divorce, single-parenting, adjusting to remarriage and step-parenting;
- Common childhood problems or parenting issues.
e.g., tantrums, toilet training, sleep problems, or feeding problems in toddlerhood
- Cognitive deficits or uneven development.
III
- Ø High risk children compromised by biological and/or psychosocial adversity.
e.g., preterm, medically ill, or drug-addicted newborns
- Ø Serious emotional and developmental problems.
e.g., schizophrenia, pervasive developmental disorder, autism, mental retardation
- Ø Significant mental disorders as reflected in behavioral, emotional and cognitive problems.
e.g., adjust mental problems, academic delay
Causes
- Inconsistent or contradictory parenting
- Family problems
- Marital problems
- Negligence
- Child abuse
- Over indulgence
- Biological
- Chronic illness/injury
- Single parenting/separation
- Bereavement
Procedures and Techniques
4 areas practiced in problem solving:
1) Assessment
e.g., DSM-IV diagnosis, IQ, etc.
2) Intervention
e.g., home or school based therapy
3) Prevention
e.g., diabetes management, bullying
4) Counseling
e.g., BT, CBT, play therapy, parenting
Assessment
We use following steps:
- Interviews (parent, child, teacher)
- Historical data (e.g., school records; medical records)
- Observations (e.g., school, home, clinic)
- Formal, age-normed psychological tests
- Behavioral and emotional rating scales
- Personality assessment
Assessment tools and techniques are used to evaluate:
* Child and family problem
* Children’s cognitive and language development
* Academic performance (achievement)
* Psychosocial and emotional adjustment across contexts (home, school, peer group, community)
Intervention
Treatment of children and families with a recognized problem or disorder
Treatments may include:
- Behavior management in various settings
- Cognitive-behavioral approaches geared to self-regulatory deficits (anger management), peer problems, and mood disorders
- Play therapy for young children
- Individual psychotherapy with older children and adolescents
- Family therapy and family counseling
- Parent training and parent education
Prevention
Programs to prevent the onset of problems and disorders in infants, children, adolescents, and families. Including preventing:
Antisocial behavior and delinquency
Cognitive and language delay
Teenage pregnancy
Substance abuse
Emotional distress during pediatric hospitalization or medical procedures
Health promotion (weight, diabetes, etc.)
Unintentional injury and problems such as abuse and neglect