The Benefits Of Behavioral Interventions
Parents and pre-schoolers with ADHD saw considerable improvement after behavioral interventions, a new intervention study shows. Parents received educational classes that focused on parenting skills, understanding child behavior and child safety. Individualized, at-home interventions and group therapy techniques were used over a one-year period, which led to a decrease in behavioral problems and an increase in social skills. Many children and parents need a little extra help getting acclimated to the traditional school system. After all, no one is born the perfect parent!
Often, children who need a behavioral intervention suffer from ADHD, autism, dyslexia or another pervasive developmental disorder. An early intervention program is the key to helping the child overcome natural difficulties and find studying techniques that work. The public school system generally only focuses on one particular learning mode, which leaves many students feeling “stupid” or frustrated.
By teaching the student more about their learning needs and focusing on self-empowerment, as well as skill development, the students will begin to learn their way at their own pace and will develop a renewed interest in school. A behavioral intervention can do more than just prevent anger or hyperactive outbursts in school. It can pave the way for your child’s future and instill a sense of pride and accomplishment.
There are other types of behavioral interventions as well. For example, some can help obese children get on the right track and begin living a healthier life. Dr. Teresa Quattrin, a UB professor of pediatrics, writes: “Obesity comes with a myriad of other serious health conditions, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and low self-esteem, so it’s imperative that we find tools that can prevent and treat overweight in a clinical practice setting early on.” At the University of Buffalo in NY, primary care physicians are conducting tests to see if a 24-month intervention can combat child obesity. The focus will be on increasing fruits and vegetable consumption, minimizing junk food, increasing physical activity and educating families on behavioral modification techniques that promote healthy living.
The human mind is a complex and mysterious thing. Sometimes behavioral outbursts correlate with deep-seated emotions and events from our past in ways we can’t even understand. Sometimes we feel trapped in our own repetitive cycles and we need an experienced interventionist to help us navigate our own minds, desires, perceptions and goals to find our way out again. Whether it’s for you or your child, behavioral interventions can be your greatest asset for moving ahead into a more successful, happier future.
Tags: behavioral intervention, brief intervention, early intervention program, family intervention, intervention plan, intervention programs, intervention strategies, intervention study, interventionist