“Don’t Kick Me Out!”: Day Treatment for Two Preschool Children With Severe Behavior Problems

Abstract

Parents of young children with severe emotional and behavior problems have few services from which to choose if their child is expelled from preschool for aggressive and disruptive behavior. Two case studies provide an overview of a multicomponent, intensive, day-treatment program for children with moderate to severe behavior disorders. Proximal and distal program goals are to eliminate presenting problem behaviors and increase social competencies and to reintegrate children back to their school, preschool, or daycare, respectively. The cases presented in this study provide preliminary evidence that day treatment can be a viable option for young children with disruptive behavior disorders.

Partial hospitalization treatment for preschoolers with severe behavior problems: child age and maternal functioning as predictors of outcome

“…These findings were generally consistent with those achieved using the RCI methodology. In keeping with other child and family treatment outcome studies that have used this methodology (e.g., Burke, Kuhn, Peterson, Peterson & Badura Brack, ; Thompson, Ruma, Brewster, Besetsney & Burke, ), we defined an 8‐point decrease in CBCL T‐score points as indicating reliable and clinically meaningful change. Using this criterion, we found that 56% and 32% of children demonstrated clinically meaningful change with respect to their externalizing and internalizing behavior problems, respectively.…”

Visual Performance Feedback

“…In the current study setting, verbal praise (i.e., GP and BSP) is a key component of the program's staff training protocol (Burke et al, 2010). The majority (73%) of children served in this day-treatment program present clinically significant behavior problems; the most prominent diagnoses at intake are oppositional defiant disorder, disruptive behavior disorder not otherwise specified, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.…”

“…This study was conducted at a day-treatment program that serves children, ages 2 to 8 years, the majority of whom have a mental health diagnosis (see Burke, Kuhn, Peterson, Peterson, & Badura Brack, 2010, for a thorough description of the program). While the center is open from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., children are typically at the center for 7 to 8 hr per day.…”

Behavior Support Coaching for a Paraprofessional Working With First-Grade Students Exhibiting Disruptive Behavior Problems in an Urban High-Poverty Elementary School

“…It is recommended that the coach complete systematic observations between each coaching session to monitor student behavior, paraprofessional behavior management strategy use, and adherence to intervention protocol. Consistent with Burke et al (2010), interventions should be behaviorally focused and data-driven. Efficient communication methods (i.e., call, text, and email) will allow for further progress monitoring and coordination of coaching meetings.…”