What is Parent Training All About?

Parent burnout is real! Heard of it? Been there? That buildup of stress, frustration and roadblocks when dealing with and supporting a child with behavioral issues and skill deficits. With the increase in ADHD diagnoses (up roughly 40% according to the National Institute of Mental Health) more parents are experiencing burnout and while looking for resources they keep hearing phrases such as parent management training, parent skills training, etc. Parent training is appearing on more and more IEPs, yet parents frequently report they aren’t sure what it is or where to get it. At my practice in Canton, MA I offer group and individual parent training sessions and fairly often I receive calls asking if this is instruction on changing diapers, feeding, sleep cycles, and other skills new parents may be looking to learn in anticipation of a new arrival. While I have very real experience with newborn challenges that I could use to provide guidance, that is not the service being mandated in IEPs of special education students or recommended by those working with children displaying challenging behavior. Parent training is an evidence based practice in treating children with disruptive behavior. The goal of parent training is to assist parents in increasing positive behaviors and skills while decreasing the challenging behaviors. This is done by building knowledge, confidence, and practical experience in how behavior works and how to change it. I have provided summaries below to decode this highly effective treatment component. Parent training can include: • Learning to watch and observe a child’s behavior, and identify antecedents, behaviors and consequences • Learning about ways to change behavior through adjusting schedules and environmental factors • Understanding behavioral interventions such as reinforcement and punishment • Practicing behavior change interventions • Setting limits and boundaries, and consistently enforcing them • Effective problem solving and communication skills Parents learn via different modalities: • Psychoeducation (instructor providing information) • Role play • Instructor modeling • Video modeling • Completing homework assignments Does this sound like a lot of work? Maybe. Would it be nice to understand “where this comes from?” and “what can I do at home?” a little more? Have less tension in the home? Fewer arguments? See more of the positive rather than the negative, such as getting up on time, doing chores, using manners, appropriate play, calmer behavior, etc.? Yes! Parent training takes commitment and effort, but can have lasting results. It can improve that dreaded parent burnout. If interested in exploring parent training in group or individual sessions, and to take back control when feeling helpless, please reach out to me: https://anewapproach-counseling.com/contact/ Parents learn via different modalities: • Psychoeducation (instructor providing information) • Role play • Instructor modeling • Video modeling • Completing homework assignments Does this sound like a lot of work? Maybe. Would it be nice to understand “where this comes from?” and “what can I do at home?” a little more? Have less tension in the home? Fewer arguments? See more of the positive rather than the negative, such as getting up on time, doing chores, using manners, appropriate play, calmer behavior, etc.? Yes! Parent training is takes commitment and effort, but can have lasting results. It can improve and decrease that dreaded parent burnout. If interested in exploring parent training in group or individual sessions, and to take back control when feeling helpless, please reach out to me: https://anewapproach-counseling.com/contact/