It helps parents effectively manage critical aspects of the relationship with their children. The problems of behavior with debut in childhood, in fact, if treated in early times and in adequate ways, avoid extinguishing themselves in adolescence
Marco is 4 years old, both at home and at kindergarten has often explosions of anger that he cannot control in any way. This creates them Problems in the relationship with companions who, frightened by his unpredictable reactions and by his non -compliance with shifts and rules, play less willingly with him.
Marta is 6 years old and struggles to make new friends and to take any new business. Prefers quiet situations and manages to feel serene only when he is alone. His withdrawal from social situations may sometimes appear excessive, so much so that often he does not participate in birthdays and the park avoids group games.
Faced with this type behaviors, a parent can try Discomfort and frustration (“I tried them all but nothing to do. At this point I have the feeling that the situation will never change …”) and be confused What to think about, is the temperament of the child or, the baby intentionally behaves in a certain way? Or still, do your behaviors hide some problems? It is precisely in these cases that a Parent training (PT) can be of great help.
What is parent training and who turns?
What is parent training and who is needed? It is a parenting support intervention In complex situations, often complementary to an intervention on the child. The goal is to provide parents with the necessary tools for recognize the needs and affective signals of the child and respond adequately. (1)
The parent training is indicated both for situations in which A disorder has not been diagnosed of the child, but parents need support in the management of problematic behavior, both for Neurosviluppo disordersthat is to say:
- conduct disorder;
- Attention/hyperactivity deficit disorder (ADHD);
- Autistic spectrum disorder;
- communication disorder;
- Specific learning disorder;
- intellectual disability.
What does it consist of and who takes care of it?
We try to enter detail to understand How Parent Training works And who is the specialized figure who takes care of conducting these programs.
For each problem they exist Parent Training programs Specific, group or individual, conducted by one or more experts, even if the “real experts” of children – let’s remember – are always their parents.
While once the therapists who led the parent training programs vertically transmit their knowledge to parents, today they fulfill a role of coach of the parental function. (2) Specifically, are the Experts of evolutionary problemsthat more than conveying skills to parents must “activate” them in them. (3)
Those who have parent training will immediately notice a very important aspect: Therapists and parents are allies in exploring the useful strategies to change the dysfunctional behaviors of children.
In the initial phases, the sessions aim to train parents to identify the The purpose of a certain behavior problematic, describing the latter objectively, examining the elements that precede it and noting what happens after it has been implemented. (4)
For example, when Marco raises his voice and pulls the toys to his companions it is good to ask himself: his aggressive behavior manifests himself Only at school? Which figures are present when Marco protests? What are the stimuli that usually trigger its frustration? How do the teachers react to his behavior? And the parents?
In Parent Training sessions Experts (which can be for example psychologists, pedagogists or psycho-therapists) are openly confronted with parents, analyzing i triggering factorstherefore suggesting strategies to put into practice for example also through exercises of role-play (a scene in which participants must act, to act spontaneously according to the inspiration of the moment) is prepared.
Being able to provide consistent answers that they do not reinforce the problematic behavior (as it would happen, in the case of Marco, if the parents used an oppositional and coercive communicative style) it can be a very tiring task for parents Because it implies the tolerance of a certain share of frustration (for example, establish boundaries in a firm and calm way, renouncing to express their irritation hot) and requires a willingness to reflect and an impulses regulation.
Why is parent training important?
So what is the importance of parent training? If it is true that genetic, temperamental and neurobiological aspects can prepare the child to a certain difficulty in regulating impulses and emotional management, it is also true that the relational context that the baby meets can favor different development roads.
For example, if Marta expresses anxiety towards socialization with peers above all in the presence of parents and not of other figures, who belongs to this problematic behavior? To the child or his relationship with his parents? If Marta’s parents, animated by the desire to protect her, systematically avoid exporting her to situations that are a source of anxiety for her, would not contribute without knowing it to further limit her social development? THE Evolutionary age disorders They are increasingly recognized as relationship disorders and precisely in relationships they must be addressed. (5)
