Behavior
All behavior is learned, is a form of communication, and is influenced by a multitude of factors unique to the child (such as temperament, social skills, and unmet emotional needs) and environment in which the behavior occurs. Each stage of development brings behavioral changes and challenges for children and their caregivers, with the toddler and teen years being particularly stormy.
Children who are frequently oppositional, noncompliant, and defiant can leave parents feeling exhausted, demoralized, and wondering, “What am I doing wrong? Why does my child/teen act this way?
You are not alone. Kids with behavior problems can test of the patience of the most caring and supportive parents.
If your child’s frequent misbehavior has persisted for several months and/or causes significant distress, family conflict, or difficulties with his or her academic progress or social life, it may be time to seek help from a professional.
We provide comprehension evaluation, therapy, and parent coaching services to help children and families struggling with behavior problems at home and school. Our goal is to help you and your child understand why the behavior occurs and to recommend strategies to prevent challenging behaviors and to teach your child new, more socially appropriate ways, of getting his or her needs met.
A Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) may be particularly useful to better understand the circumstances under which your child’s challenging behavior occurs.
Detailed observations of child’s behavior are collected over time. This data is then analyzed to identify what environmental triggers may be influencing your child’s behavior, what consequences may be maintaining the challenging behavior, and what the function of the behavior is for child (e.g., what he/she gets or avoids by using these behaviors).
Based upon the results of the analysis, detailed behavioral strategies and treatment recommendations are offered in a comprehensive report and discussed with you in a feedback session.