Behavioural Problems in Preschoolers Flashcards
Important to exclude _______
Neurodevelopmental disorders, e.g. autism spectrum disorder (ASD), global developmental delay, and language disorders
Problematic behaviours which indicate greater concern
Present across other contexts
Lie outside the usual range of normal behaviour
Cause considerable stress to the child or their family
Have a negative impact on their social or educational experience
Persist beyond 3 months
Behavioural history includes…
Nature, context, frequency, and duration of the behaviour
Triggers for the behaviour
Impact of behaviour on others
Patterns of escalation, degree of persistence of abnormal behaviour
Factors or stressful events that may have contributed to emergence
Whether the response to the behaviour reinforces or maintains the behaviour
Actions taken to address the behaviour
Other background history
Pregnancy, birth, development
Prev difficult behaviours
Current function, e.g. home, preschool
Adaptation to preschool environment, difficulties with socialisation
Adequate routines, meals, sleep, exercise
Media use:
Any imposed limitations on amount and type of access
Possible access to dangerous or harmful online material, e.g. extreme violence or sexual images
What to ask about the family setting
Living arrangements
?Adequate one-on-one time with the child
Supportive non-parent adults
Parenting style - stable? consistent? boundaries? routine and structure?
Family conflict
Medical causes of behaviour
Consider hearing/vision test
ENT exam
Any physical complaints?
Change of sleep patterns? excessive sleepiness, snoring, or apnoea
Tips for parents
Spend one-on-one time playing
Praise positive behaviour
Acknowledge their feelings
Be consistent and calm with rules/boundaries e.g. we use gentle hands and feet
Use distraction
Ignore harmless behaviour
Support services
Family works - also run Incredible Years programme
Plunket
What does incredible years programme involve
Learn strategies to manage problem behaviours.
Develop strategies to build positive relationships with your children.
