New program devised to aid children with problem behaviours

Jan 30, 2007

Help is now at hand for parents or carers who are at their wit’s end trying to deal with young children who experience ongoing problem behaviours.

The Northfields Clinic Confident Carers Group has been established as a new community initiative to provide Illawarra families with assistance in raising children with problem behaviours in the 5 to 11-year-old age group.

“Confident Carers – Cooperative Kids” is a 10-week behavioural family intervention program for parents and carers that aims to reduce problem behaviours by focusing on improving:

• Parent-child relationships through the use of play and other positive activities

• Effectiveness of praise and rewards when reinforcing appropriate behaviour

• Effectiveness of instructions when setting necessary limits on behaviour

• Use of preventative strategies (for example, planning ahead and managing emotions) that limit the causes of misbehaviour

• Consistency and type of responses to problem behaviour

Supervising Clinical Psychologist, Mark Donovan, said problem behaviours are shown by most, if not all, children from time-to-time.

However, he said that some children display more severe problem behaviours that significantly interfere with how they get along with their family, friends and schoolwork.

Note: Families can self-refer to this program by simply contacting the Northfields Clinic on 4221 3747. Sessions can be held during the day or early evening. Parents/carers attend the sessions, not the children. Cost for the program is $50. The first sessions start on the evening of Thursday 1 March. Pre-group interviews will be held on 15 and 22 February.

Media – for further information contact either Mark Donovan on (02) 4221 4820; Rob Battisti on (02) 4221 4511 or the Northfields Clinic general number on 4221 3747.

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128