Summary
A child doesn't want to leave the toy store, so he stops and flops. Another bolts across a busy parking lot, turns and smiles at his mom. An eighteen-year-old student bursts into tears when asked to change activities at school. Sound familiar?
These and other common behaviour issues in children with Down syndrome can quickly become engrained and may even persist into adulthood. No parent wants that to happen, and thankfully, help is available. Dr. David Stein, a psychologist and Co-Director of the Down Syndrome Program at Boston Children's Hospital, shares his approach to behaviour management in this new book for parents.
Supporting Positive Behavior in Children and Teens with Down Syndrome examines how the brain of a person with Down syndrome works, how those differences impact behaviour, and why bad behavour should not be viewed as a willful act. Governed by this new awareness, parents are in a better position to change and manage their child's behaviour using these guiding principles: be proactive not reactive; be consistent; use visual schedules & Social Stories to direct behaviour; develop a token reward chart; keep gut reactions in check; teach siblings to ignore bad behaviour; learn effective disciplinary techniques; and know when professional help is needed.
Some of these parenting concepts are intuitive, others are not, but when they are followed consistently, children and teens with Down syndrome do their best behaviourally and the parent-child relationship remains as positive and loving as it should be.
David Stein is a pediatric psychologist specializing in neuropsychological testing, assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders, and behavioural and cognitive behavioural therapy. Dr. Stein is the founder of New England Neurodevelopment, LLC, in Concord, MA. He was on the faculty of Boston Children's Hospital and an Instructor at Harvard Medical School from 2010 to 2016. Dr. Stein has spoken nationally and internationally regarding neurodevelopment and related disorders. He is the author of several scholarly articles, chapters, and this book.
