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A Flow Chart of Behavior Management Strategies for Families of Children with Co-Occurring Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Conduct Problem Behavior

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Abstract

Behavioral parent training is an evidence-based treatment for problem behavior described as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder. However, adherence to treatment fidelity and parent performance of the management skills remains an obstacle to optimum outcome. One variable that may limit the effectiveness of the parent training is that demanding behavior management procedures can be deceptively complicated and difficult to perform. Based on outcome research for families of children with co-occurring ADHD and conduct problem behavior, an example of a visual behavior management flow chart is presented. The flow chart may be used to help teach specific behavior management skills to parents. The flow chart depicts a chain of behavior management strategies taught with explanation, modeling, and role-play with parents. The chained steps in the flow chart are elements common to well-known evidence-based behavior management strategies, and perhaps, this depiction well serve as a setting event for other behavior analysts to create flow charts for their own parent training, Details of the flow chart steps, as well as examples of specific applications and program modifications conclude.

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Notes

  1. The parent training materials are available in PDF from the author. E-mail: danforthj@easternct.edu.

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Acknowledgments

I would like to acknowledge Sandy Chunying Jin, Ph.D., for helpful comments on an earlier draft of this manuscript and assistance with the figures as well as Joseph Dracobly, Ph.D., for helpful comments on an earlier draft of this manuscript.

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  1. Eastern Connecticut State University, 83 Windham Street, Willimantic, CT, 06226, USA

    Jeffrey S. Danforth

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Danforth, J.S. A Flow Chart of Behavior Management Strategies for Families of Children with Co-Occurring Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Conduct Problem Behavior. Behav Analysis Practice 9, 64–76 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-016-0103-6

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