meeting the needs of children and families

1. Meeting the Needs of Children
and Families – Case Study
Feliza Fanto
ECEP233 - 063
Professor Lisa McCaie
April 2, 2015

2. Case Study
Avery is a 5th grader who receives special education services for a learning
disability. Avery is on grade level in math and two years below grade level in
reading. Avery has no history of behavior problems.
Avery was caught stealing software from the computer lab at his school. His
teacher referred him to the assistant principal who issued a three-day
suspension and required him to return the stolen materials.
Avery returned to the classroom to gather his belongings and confronted his
teacher. He called her names, threatened to come back to school with a
knife to “cut her,” and pretended to swing his fists toward her. Avery’s
teacher called the principal, who, in accordance with the student code of
conduct at the school, issued an additional 10-day suspension for Avery,
bringing his total days of suspension to 13.
As the ECE in the school age program, Avery’s Mom comes crying to you as
she does not know what to do with him. She looks to you for advice as she is
very stressed. Recently, her husband has left the family to be with another
woman.

3. Key Points
• Avery is in grade 5
• He receives special education services for a learning
disability
• He was caught stealing from the computer lab at his
school
• He was suspended and when returning to his classroom
to get his belongings, he confronted his teacher
• He called her names
• Threatened to cut her with a knife
• Pretended to swing a fist towards her
• Avery’s mom is stressed and doesn’t know what to do
with him
• Her husband recently left their family to be with another
woman

4. Based on my analysis of Avery’s situation and the key
points that I pulled out from the case study, I believe
that Avery has conduct disorder.
The following slides describe the different aspects of
conduct disorder that helped me to determine what’s
happening with Avery. Included in the slides are also
ways I would meet some the child’s needs within a
child care setting and local agencies that offer
services to families with children who have behavior
disorders.

5. Conduct Disorder
(Image from: http://www.howcast.com/videos/507697-What-Is-
Conduct-Disorder-Child-Psychology)
(Image from:
http://www.examiner.com/article/childhood-
conduct-disorder)

6. Children with Conduct
Disorder
This video shows a child and a teenager with conduct
disorder and the behaviors that they exhibit both at
school and at home.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THsIP7pM9Oc

7. What is Conduct
Disorder?
Conduct disorder is a severe condition that is
characterized by aggressive and destructive behavior
that may be physically violent at times. Children with
Conduct Disorder show disregard for others and
exhibit a range of negative behaviors from picking
fights, threatening, and bullying, to theft, vandalism,
and arson.
(http://www.childmind.org/en/health/disorder-guide/conduct-disorder)

8. Signs and Symptoms of
Conduct Disorder
According to the American Academy of Child &
Adolescent Psychiatry, there are four types of
behaviors that children and adolescents with conduct
disorder exhibit. They are:
• Aggressive Behavior
• Destructive Behavior
• Deceitful Behavior
• Serious Violations of Rules
(http://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/Facts_for_Families_P
ages/Conduct_Disorder_33.aspx)

9. Aggressive Behavior
Some examples of aggressive behavior are:
• Bullying, threatening or intimidating others
• Initiating physical fights
• Using weapons that could cause physical harm to
others (i.e. a bat, knife, gun, or brick)
• Physically harming animals
• Assault
(http://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/Facts_for_Families_P
ages/Conduct_Disorder_33.aspx)

10. Destructive Behavior
Some examples of destructive behavior are:
• Purposely setting fires to cause damage to objects
and/or property
• Purposely destroying other people’s things and/or
property
(http://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/Facts_for_Families_P
ages/Conduct_Disorder_33.aspx)

11. Deceitful Behavior
Some examples of deceitful behavior are:
• Breaking into someone else’s property such as
buildings, houses, or cars
• Stealing items
• Lying to get favors or materials
(http://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/Facts_for_Families_P
ages/Conduct_Disorder_33.aspx)

12. Serious Violations of
Rules
Serious violations of rules may include:
• Often staying out until late at night regardless of
parental objections
• Running away from home
• Always absent from school without good reason
(http://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/Facts_for_Families_P
ages/Conduct_Disorder_33.aspx)

13. Risk Factors of Conduct
Disorder
There is no exact known cause of conduct disorder,
but a mix of biological, genetic, environmental,
psychological, and social factors are believed to play
a role in the cause of conduct disorder.

14. Biological and Genetic
Factors
• Studies propose that defects or injuries to specific areas of the
brain can lead to behavior disorders
• Impairment in the frontal lobe of the brain has been linked to
conduct disorder. The frontal lobe regulates emotions, behavior,
and impulse control.
• Many children with conduct disorder also have other special
needs such as ADHD, learning disorders or anxiety disorder
• Children with conduct disorder often times have close family
members who have mental illnesses such as mood disorders,
personality disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance use issues.
(http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-conduct-disorder?page=2#1)

15. Environmental Factors
• Dysfunctional family life
• Parental marital disagreements
• Early maternal rejection
• Poverty
• Parental mental illness
• Separation from parents
• Abuse
• Neglect
• Family history of substance abuse
• Inconsistent discipline by parents
(http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-conduct-disorder?page=2#1)
(http://www.mentalhealthcanada.com/ConditionsandDisordersDetail.asp?lang=e&category=69)

16. Psychological and Social
Factors
• Studies suggest that problems with moral awareness
and deficits in cognitive processing can be factors
in conduct disorder
• Low socioeconomic status
• Not being accepted by peers
(http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-conduct-disorder?page=2#1)

17. Strategies to Meet the
Needs of the Child
• Stay positive and approachable
o Praise the child using positive words and give positive
reinforcement when they demonstrate flexibility and co-
operation.
• Identify the child’s skills and attributes and reinforce them
• Post classroom rules with visual representation in an area at
the children’s level to be easily seen by them
• Be consistent with the application of agreed rules, and they
should be realistic, specific, and proactive.
• Have areas in the room where the child with conduct disorder,
or any of the children, have the opportunity to do activities
independently.
(http://www.sess.ie/categories/emotional-disturbance-andor-behavioural-
problems/conduct-disorder/tips-learning-and-teach)

18. Strategies Continued…
• Do not have too much transitions throughout the day.
• Necessary transitions should be signaled clearly through
different ways such as visual representations, songs, or
gestures.
• Encourage the child to help the other children in their areas of
strength.
• Provide the child with choices of outcomes wherever possible
• Read age appropriate books with the children about
redirecting and promoting positive behavior
• Maintain constant communication with parents or caregivers
(http://www.sess.ie/categories/emotional-disturbance-andor-behavioural-problems/conduct-disorder/tips-
learning-and-teach)

19. Promoting Positive Behavior Books
Is It Right to Fight?: A First Look at Anger
“Spats are normal among younger kids, and
often lead to screaming, hitting and other
expressions of anger. This book helps kids
understand that it's often all right to be angry,
but that it's always best to resolve conflicts
peaceably.”
(Image and description from:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/825846.Is_It_Right_to_Fig
ht_ )
Words Are Not for Hurting
“The older children get, the more words they know
and can use—including hurtful words. This book
teaches children that their words belong to them:
They can think before they speak, then choose
what to say and how to say it. It also explores
positive ways to respond when others use unkind
words and reinforces the importance of saying
“I’m sorry.” Includes tips for parents and
caregivers.”
(Image and description from:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/409892.Words_Are_Not

20. Promoting Positive Behavior Books Continued…
Talk and Work it Out
“What’s the best way to solve problems between
people? By talking them over and working them out.
It’s never too soon for children to learn the process
of peaceful conflict resolution. This book distills it into
clear, simple language and supporting illustrations.
Children learn to calm themselves, state the
problem, listen, think of solutions, try one, evaluate
results, and even agree to disagree when a solution
isn’t possible. Includes skill-building games and role
plays for adults to use with children.”
(Image and description from:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/615759.Talk_and_Work_It_O
ut?from_search=true)

21. The York Centre for Children,
Youth and Families
The York Centre offers a range of mental health services to children,
youth, and families who live in York Region. One of the services they
offer are Day Treatment Services. This program is created to meet
the needs of children, youth, and their families going through social,
emotional, behavioral, and academic challenges, conduct disorder
included.
Referrals must be made directly by parents, caregivers, or legal
guardian.
Children and youth who are admitted to the Day Treatment
program come to the center from Monday to Friday at 9am to 3pm,
beginning in September and ending in June. The program
therapeutically assists children, youth and their families in addressing
issues that they are going through.
(http://www.theyorkcentre.ca/index.php?page=services_daytreatment)

22. The York Centre Continued…
The Day Treatment Program is divided into two groups: the
Children’s Program and the Youth Program.
• The Children’s Program serves children ranging from 5 years old to
13 years old. They are then divided into 4 groups based on age.
• The Youth Program serves youth between the ages of 13 years old
and 19 years old. They are then divided into 4 groups based on
age.
• Each group has a Teacher and a Child and Youth Worker
There are no fees for clients, but donations for services are
accepted.
York Region residents have access to the services of the York
Centre throughout the year. Some services are also offered at
community locations and staff can also meet with families in
their home.
(Image and Information from: http://www.theyorkcentre.ca/index.php?page=indexContent)

23. Aisling Discoveries Child and
Family Centre
Aisling Discoveries Child and Family Centre offers services
to children from prenatal to twelve years old who are
experiencing or are at risk of developing social, emotional
or behavioral problems. They also offer services to children
and youth up to eighteen years old with autism spectrum
disorder and their family.
Aisling Discoveries offer a Behavior Management program
where parents are able to get training from child therapists
that specialize in families with children from birth to twelve
years old. They guide parents in creating structure and
routines in their home, and also provides behavior
management strategies.
(http://www.aislingdiscoveries.on.ca/section/what-we-do)

24. Aisling Discoveries Continued…
• Aisling Discoveries provide services to families who
live in Scarborough and East York. Some programs
are also offered across Toronto.
• All of the services offered at the Aisling Discoveries
Child and Family Centre are free of charge.
(Image and information from: http://www.aislingdiscoveries.on.ca/section/parent-info)

25. Bibliography
Facts for Families Page - Conduct Disorder. (2013, August 1). Retrieved April 1,
2015, from
http://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/Facts_f
or_Families_Pages/Conduct_Disorder_33.aspx
Kivi, R. (2012, July 25). Conduct Disorder. Retrieved April 1, 2015, from
http://www.healthline.com/health/conduct-disorder#Overview1
Strategies for Learning and Teaching. (n.d.). Retrieved April 1, 2015, from
http://www.sess.ie/categories/emotional-disturbance-andor-behavioural-
problems/conduct-disorder/tips-learning-and-teach
Children and Adolescents with Conduct Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved April 1,
2015, from
http://www.mentalhealthcanada.com/ConditionsandDisordersDetail.asp?lang=
e&category=69
The York Centre for Children, Youth and Families. (n.d.). Retrieved April 1,
2015, from http://www.theyorkcentre.ca/index.php?page=indexContent
Behaviour Management. (2014, January 1). Retrieved April 1, 2015, from
http://www.aislingdiscoveries.on.ca/section/behaviour-management