Oppositional, Defiant & Disruptive Children & Adolescents: Non-Medication Approaches for the Most Challenging Behaviors

CPD

Handouts

Speaker

Scott D. Walls, MA, LIPC, CCMHC Related seminars and products

---

Scott D. Walls, MA, LIPC, CCMHC, is a mental health counselor in private practice in Lincoln, NE, and has previously spent 15 years with the Lincoln Public Schools as a behavior specialist and psychotherapist. Scott has provided therapy and consultation services for hundreds of children, teens and families in the Lincoln area. In addition, Scott has provided numerous trainings for teachers, administrators and case management staff for various agencies. He is also the author of Oppositional, Defiant & Disruptive Children and Adolescents (PESI, 2016) and Behavior Management Skills Guide with Deb Rauner (PESI, 2015).

Scott co-founded a domestic violence group for female offenders and was a practicing therapist and case manager supervisor for a special project in Lincoln that offered treatment for torture and trauma survivors for refugees and immigrants. In addition to his duties as a therapist and consultant, Scott is the founder and owner of the Lincoln Karate Clinic, Inc. This karate school offers specialized karate lessons for children ages 4-7 and youth ages 8 and up. The karate school is well known for providing unique classes that incorporate Stranger Danger lessons and Scott’s personally developed antibullying program entitled: “The 4 C’s of Bullying.” 

Scott enjoys providing information to students and participants in a relaxed learning environment and makes every attempt to give participants practical and down to earth educational information.

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Scott Walls maintains a private practice and is the founder and owner of the Lincoln Karate Clinic, Inc. He receives a speaking honorarium, recording royalties, and book royalties from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Scott Walls has no relevant non-financial relationships.

Objectives

1. Utilize clinical strategies to reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of behavioural episodes that challenge therapists, educators, professionals, and parents.
2. Implement both proactive and reactive strategies for oppositional, defiant and disruptive behaviour in children and youth.
3. Discriminate between the clinical presentation of behavioural episodes & psychiatric symptoms to inform treatment.
4. Communicate how a skilled observation of behaviour informs your treatment approach.
5. Develop clinical skills for establishing a therapeutic rapport to overcome treatment resistance in children and adolescents.
6. Effectively develop a behaviour intervention plan and safety plan across all settings including home and school.

Outline

Behaviours that Make Us Crazy

• Tantrums
• Running out/away
• Noncompliance
• Nagging
• Refusing to work/help
• Yelling/screaming
• Bullying
• Panic/anxiety reactions
• Lack of follow-through
• Not following directions

Disorders

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder
• ADHD
• Mood disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Attachment issues/disorder, conduct disorder, autism spectrum disorders

Assessment - The Functions of Behavior

• Fear-based (Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Submit)
  • Escape
  • Attention
  • Sensory
  • Pain
  • Control

Mental Health Disorder or Behavior Problem

• The power of skilled observations
• The interview
• Comparison to the group
• The FBA – Incredibly powerful assessment tool
• The art of choosing a diagnosis (if you have to at all!)

Limitations of the Research and Potential Risks

Treatment Strategies Part I

• Proactive
  • Behaviour plans
  • Motivational incentives
  • Set the stage for success
  • Remember the initial goal
  • Appropriately address the functions of the behaviour
• Reactive
  • ​Corrective measures
  • It's like playing chess in a tornado

Treatment Strategies Part II 

• Specific Strategies for the Following Behavioral Challenges:
  • Tantrums
  • Running out/away
  • Noncompliance
  • Nagging
  • Refusing to work/help
  • Yelling/screaming
  • Bullying
  • Panic/anxiety reactions
  • Lack of follow-through
  • Not following directions

Treatment Strategies Part III 

• Specific Strategies for the Following Disorders:
  • ODD
  • ADHD
  • Mood disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Working with unsafe behaviours

Treatment Strategies Part IV

• Special Populations & Circumstances
  • Asperger’s disorder
  • Divorce, separation
  • Abuse and neglect
  • Parent misbehaviour
  • Foster care

Target Audience

• Counselors
• Social Workers
• Psychologists
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Speech-Language Pathologists
• Teachers
• School Guidance Counselors
• Case Managers
• Nurses
• School Administrators
• Educational Paraprofessionals
• Occupational Therapists & Occupational Therapy Assistants
• Other Helping Professionals that Work with Children

Reviews