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Topic: Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent)

Scientific Ratings in this topic:
1 - Well-Supported by Research Evidence
2 - Supported by Research Evidence
3 - Promising Research Evidence
4 - Evidence Fails to Demonstrate Effect
5 - Concerning Practice
NR - Not able to be Rated
Learn more about the scale

Definition for Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent):

Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent) is defined as the treatment of youth with a diagnosis of a disruptive behavior disorder, including Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder, or youth without a diagnosis who are exhibiting similar behaviors. Common symptoms may include arguing and refusing to obey rules, frequent defiance of authority, aggression towards people and animals, destruction of property, lying, theft, failure to take responsibility for bad behavior or mistakes, and regular temper tantrums. In Oppositional Defiant Disorder, the rules broken are usually those in the family and the school, while in Conduct Disorder, the rules broken include the regulations and laws made by society.

Why was Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent) chosen as a topic by the Advisory Committee? (Click for Answer)

This topic was chosen by the Advisory Committee to highlight the need for timely, appropriate, and effective disruptive behavior treatment services that support children and families in achieving successful outcomes. Documented research shows that children who enter the child welfare system, particularly those that are removed from their home, experience a significantly higher rate of mental health problems, including disruptive behaviors, than children in the general population. This is not surprising, and is likely the result of a number of contributing factors. These factors may include events that precipitated child welfare intervention including abuse, neglect, and abandonment, as well as factors associated with placement, including separation, loss, anger, and fear.

While the child welfare system has historically focused on the physical and safety needs of children, emerging practice within agencies across the country is to now take into account the emotional needs of children as well. Child welfare agencies along with mental health providers have come to recognize that early assessment and timely treatment intervention play a key role in ensuring successful outcomes for children. As a result, a growing number of new initiatives and programs are being implemented within California counties that support the delivery of an array of mental health services to children and families receiving child welfare services. These services range from mental health screening and assessment to individualized treatment for identified needs. Additionally, there is heightened awareness among professionals that the delivery of children’s mental health services must be carefully coordinated across child serving agencies to thoroughly address their complex needs.

Whether children remain living with their parents or are placed outside the home, it is critical that all children in the child welfare system be screened and assessed. Moreover, parents and caregivers must be trained to identify early signs of mental distress enabling them to seek early intervention and appropriate care and treatment.

Marilynne Garrison
Division Chief, Out of Home Care
Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services

Programs in this topic area

Here are your search results for programs in the area of Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent):

The programs listed below have been reviewed by the CEBC and, if appropriate, been rated using the Scientific Rating Scale.

Programs with a Scientific Rating of 1 - Well-Supported by Research Evidence:

  • Coping Power Program – detailed view
    Topics: Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent)
    8 to 14 year old children whose aggression puts them at risk for later delinquency.
  • Incredible Years, The (IY) – detailed view
    Topics: Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent), Parent Training, Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (Secondary)
    Parents, teachers, and children.
  • Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care - Adolescents (MTFC-A) – detailed view
    Topics: Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent), Higher Level of Placement, Placement Stabilization, Behavioral Management for Adolescents in Child Welfare
    Boys and girls, 12-18 years old with severe delinquency and/or severe emotional and behavioral disorders. These youth were in ...
  • Multisystemic Therapy (MST) – detailed view
    Topics: Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent), Substance Abuse Treatment (Adolescent), Behavioral Management for Adolescents in Child Welfare
    Youth, 12 to 17 years old, with possible substance abuse issues who are at risk of out-of-home placement due to antisocial or ...
  • Oregon Model, Parent Management Training (PMTO™) – detailed view
    Topics: Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent), Parent Training
    Parents of children 2-18 years of age with disruptive behaviors such as conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and anti-social behaviors.
  • Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) – detailed view
    Topics: Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent), Infant and Toddler Mental Health (0-3), Parent Training
    Children ages 3-6 with behavior and parent-child relationship problems. May be conducted with parents, foster parents, or other caretakers. Adaptation ...
  • Problem Solving Skills Training (PSST) – non-responder
    Topics: Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent)
  • Triple P - Positive Parenting Program – detailed view
    Topics: Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent), Parent Training, Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (Secondary)
    Parents and other caregivers of children from birth through age 18.

Programs with a Scientific Rating of 2 - Supported by Research Evidence:

  • Community Parent Education Program (COPE) – non-responder
    Topics: Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent)
  • Functional Family Therapy (FFT) – detailed view
    Topics: Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent), Substance Abuse Treatment (Adolescent), Behavioral Management for Adolescents in Child Welfare
    11-18 year olds with very serious problems such as conduct disorder, violent acting-out, and substance abuse
  • Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care for Preschoolers (MTFC-P) – detailed view
    Topics: Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent), Higher Level of Placement, Infant and Toddler Mental Health (0-3), Placement Stabilization
    Preschool foster children aged 3-6 years old who exhibit a high level of disruptive and anti-social behavior which cannot be ...

Programs with a Scientific Rating of 3 - Promising Research Evidence:

  • Helping the Noncompliant Child (HNC) – detailed view
    Topics: Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent)
    Parents of children (age 3-8 years old) who have noncompliance or other conduct problems.
  • Parenting Wisely – detailed view
    Topics: Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent), Parent Training
    Families with children at risk for or with: behavior problems, substance abuse problems, or delinquency.
  • Think:Kids – detailed view
    Topics: Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent)
    Children and adolescents with a variety of behavioral challenges, including both externalizing (e.g., explosions, meltdowns, tantrums) and internalizing (e....

Programs with a Scientific Rating of NR - Not able to be Rated:

  • Parenting with Love and Limits (PLL) – detailed view
    Topics: Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent)
    Children and adolescents aged 10-18 who have severe emotional and behavioral problems (e.g., conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and ...