Synopsis

Grounded in the latest developmental knowledge and best practices, the revised edition of this popular guide addresses a broader array of behavior and adjustment difficulties and has been rewritten to be even more user-friendly. A wealth of practical tools are provided to build self-control in struggling children and teens; get social, emotional, and academic development back on track; and reduce family stress. Including over 25 reproducibles in a large-size format with layflat binding, the book is ideal for practitioners collaborating with families in clinic, school, or community settings, and also can be used by parents on their own.

Reviewer: Susan Richardson, MA, PsyD(Private Practice)
Description: This is a resource book with illustrated handouts for use by parents and practitioners with children with behavior problems. This is a revision of a book first published in 1996.
Purpose: The book is for families with a child who is struggling with behavioral or adjustment difficulties, for use with a practitioner or without. The author's objectives are well-described and organized. The book is very parent friendly.
Audience: The author states this book is for use by parents or practitioners. It is written more for parents than clinicians, but he suggests that the book is ideally used by parents working in tandem with a mental health practitioner. The author has written scholarly articles and other books for professionals.
Features: The book includes a comprehensive introduction written for parents and professionals. Subsequent chapters address areas of problematic behavior and include nicely illustrated handouts for use with children. The handouts include separate versions for girls and boys, which is apt to be helpful with the younger crowd. The author also includes a sample handout with example responses, which are likely to helpful for the parent using the book without professional assistance. Clinicians are able to reproduce these handouts for professional use. The final section is a practitioner's guide for use of the book with families.
Assessment: This is good resource for professionals and parents alike. There are many practical, attractive handouts that will be a nice contribution to any clinician's collection. It is written in a practical, sensitive, and organized way that is sure to make it accessible to any interested reader.

Biography

Michael L. Bloomquist, PhD, is Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He has extensive applied and research experience in prevention and treatment activities with children exhibiting behavior problems. Dr. Bloomquist is a coinvestigator on several longitudinal studies examining the development of children with aggression, as well as evaluating the effects of comprehensive prevention programs. He is the coauthor of Helping Children with Aggression and Conduct Problems, and has coauthored articles in peer-reviewed journals.