The SNAP™ Under 12 Outreach Project: Effects of a Community Based Program for Children with Conduct Problems

Abstract

We examined the immediate, short-and long-term effectiveness of the SNAP TM Under 12 Outreach Project (ORP)-a community-based program for children under the age of 12 at risk of having police contact. Sixteen pairs of children were matched on age, sex and severity of delinquency at admission, and randomly assigned to the ORP or to a control group which received less intensive treatment. Level of antisocial behavior was assessed pre and post intervention (immediate effects) and at three follow-up periods (up to 15 months post treatment) to investigate maintenance of possible treatment effects. A search of criminal records was also performed to assess long term effects. Results indicated that ORP children decreased significantly more than controls on the Delinquency and Aggression subscales of the Child Behavior Checklist pre-to post-intervention, and these effects were maintained over time. For statistically significant differences, effect sizes were large (.79 to 1.19). Fewer ORP children (31%) had criminal records at follow-up compared to controls (57%), although this difference was not statistically significant. Overall, the ORP appears to be an effective cognitive-behavioral program for antisocial children in the short term, with possible effects that extend into adolescence and adulthood.Keywords Randomized controlled trial (RCT) . Conduct disorder . Children . Antisocial behavior . Cognitive behavioral therapy There is an abundance of research showing that an early age of onset of conduct disorder is a robust predictor of future criminal involvement and that young children with above average levels of disruptive behavior problems have a two-to three-fold increased risk of

Examining Teacher Outcomes of the School-Wide Positive Behavior Support Model in Norway

“…Individually tailored interventions are organized at the indicated level for students at high risk of conduct disorder and school failure (1%-5%). Interventions at this level may include (a) individual and multisystemic support plans based on functional behavioral assessment (FBA), (b) individual social skills training (e.g., "Stop-Now-and-Plan"; Augimeri, Farrington, Koegl, & Day, 2007), (c) parent training, and (d) behavior management training for teachers.…”

Neural Changes Associated with Treatment Outcome in Children with Externalizing Problems

“…An evidence-based treatment program called SNAP TM (Stop Now and Plan;Augimeri, Farrington, Koegl, & Day, 2007) was delivered to children (CBT: cognitive behavioural therapy) and parents (PMT: parent management training). The SNAP TM program underwent two evaluations demonstrating positive treatment outcomes with effects lasting for at least 6-and 12-month follow-up periods (Augimeri et al, 2007; Hrynkiw- Augimeri, Pepler, & Goldberg, 1996).…”

“…The SNAP TM program underwent two evaluations demonstrating positive treatment outcomes with effects lasting for at least 6-and 12-month follow-up periods (Augimeri et al, 2007; Hrynkiw- Augimeri, Pepler, & Goldberg, 1996). Weekly three-hour group therapy sessions were held separately for the children and their parents at the community agencies for 14 weeks.…”

“…Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS): To assess improvement status, the CAFAS (Augimeri et al, 2007), a clinician's measure of child problem behaviours, was used. To rate the child, the clinician collects information from multiple informants in different settings, including the child's parents, teachers, and other significant adults (e.g., grandparent, school counselor).…”

The Correlates of Youth Violence: Evidence From the Literature

“…Examples in this category include programs that are directed at abuse survivors, which assist in helping youth victims with post-traumatic stress disorder, feelings of vulnerability, depression, and suicidality. The work of Leena Augimeri and her colleagues at Toronto's Child Development Institute in delivering the SNAP (Stop Now and Plan) program falls into this category of effective programs that target children under the age of 12 years (Augimeri, Farrington, Koegl, & Day, 2007 …”