Synopses & Reviews
Review
"This book has been an invaluable resource in my clinical practice, and I welcome the publication of the revised edition. Incorporating the most current theories and techniques in the field, Dr. Bloomquist has shifted the focus away from pathology and toward appreciating the developmental pathways of each child. But the basic foundation remains the same: parents are in the best position to help their children and should be afforded the best strategies and opportunities to do so. This straightforward, easy-to-read, jargon-free volume is a practical and valuable resource for parents and professionals alike. The user-friendly framework, planning strategies, reproducible charts, and effective ways of measuring change help make this one of the most often used books on my desk."--Sam Goldstein, PhD, Neurology, Learning, and Behavior Center and University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
"I like the way Dr. Bloomquist looks at children as 'struggling' rather than putting them into a box or labeling them because of a set of symptoms. So many times I have had to have my child tested, evaluated, and categorized, when all I wanted was to find solutions to problems. Dr. Bloomquist's very concise, step-by-step Success Plans help parents do just that. Many procedures in books sound easy to implement, but the ones in this book really are written with an understanding of parents' predicaments. Dr. Bloomquist suggests practical ideas that parents can readily execute and advises them to seek extra help when needed. I think this approach empowers parents."--Lois L., mother
"This is an eminently usable book for professionals and parents, with straightforward directions for determining what help children may need and how to intervene effectively. Dr. Bloomquist clarifies the central role of parents in teaching children the skills they need, as well as the supports that parents need as they assume this responsibility. Professionals will appreciate the specific guidance provided to them in how to use the exercises, charts, and checklists as parts of clinical protocols. The skills Dr. Bloomquist details are fundamental to social, emotional and educational competence. That makes this a book of great hope: the struggling child can become a competent, successful child. And families, too often blamed as the source of their children's difficulties, can be supported in doing the patient, thoughtful work needed to achieve this success."--Glenace Edwall, PsyD, PhD, Minnesota Department of Human Service, Saint Paul, Minnesota
"Dr. Bloomquist has provided a thorough and comprehensive structure for parents to address skills development for children with behavior problems. Particularly noteworthy are the emphasis on developmental issues related to children's presenting concerns, the positive orientation, and the case illustrations that bring to life the essential points of the guidebook. This is an invaluable resource for practitioners who consult with parents or run parenting support groups or workshops. It certainly is an added bonus that the charts in each chapter are readily accessible to parents and practitioners."--Sandra L. Christenson, PhD, School Psychology Program, University of Minnesota
Review
"Bloomquist manages to provide an accurate and clear description of the differences between the more serious behavior problems and the troublesome behavior of children in language that is easily understood by the parent. He also provides a succinct practitioner's guide to using the text with both parents and children. The relatively large and bold print emphasizing key points lends this book to easy reading and clear understanding....The clarity of the writing and the practical success plans are a real strength in this book. Graduate students, educators, marriage and family therapists, and clinical supervisors can benefit from this text. The text is an invaluable resource that can be a mainstay of the reference Iibrary for any practice setting. I was very impressed with it and recommend it to my graduate students entering the field-based practicum and internship phase of training."--
Family Journal "A resource that many parents will appreciate. Its brevity, clarity, and organization accentuate the helpfulness of the many techniques that Bloomquist summarizes. The worksheets and charts facilitate the implementation of the well-established strategies in this manual....can be a useful adjunct to treatment that provides useful ideas."--
APA PsycCRITIQUES "Two strengths of this book include its emphasis on behavior and its clarity....Appropriate audiences for this book include parents whose children are struggling with behavior problems at home, in school, or in other social settings, and the professionals who serve them. This book can also be an excellent resource for teachers and others who interact with children and adolescents in their careers....Professional clinicians and students who are involved in graduate-level training that involves working with children and adolescents could benefit from familiarity with the charts and skill development worksheets. The bibliography of suggested readings included in this book is a useful guide for students and practitioners alike....As a resource for parents to use with practitioners, this book offers theoretical perspective and concrete guidance in a viable format."--
Research on Social Work PracticeReview
"This book has been an invaluable resource in my clinical practice, and I welcome the publication of the revised edition. Incorporating the most current theories and techniques in the field, Dr. Bloomquist has shifted the focus away from pathology and toward appreciating the developmental pathways of each child. But the basic foundation remains the same: parents are in the best position to help their children and should be afforded the best strategies and opportunities to do so. This straightforward, easy-to-read, jargon-free volume is a practical and valuable resource for parents and professionals alike. The user-friendly framework, planning strategies, reproducible charts, and effective ways of measuring change help make this one of the most often used books on my desk."--Sam Goldstein, PhD, Neurology, Learning, and Behavior Center and University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
"I like the way Dr. Bloomquist looks at children as 'struggling' rather than putting them into a box or labeling them because of a set of symptoms. So many times I have had to have my child tested, evaluated, and categorized, when all I wanted was to find solutions to problems. Dr. Bloomquist's very concise, step-by-step Success Plans help parents do just that. Many procedures in books sound easy to implement, but the ones in this book really are written with an understanding of parents' predicaments. Dr. Bloomquist suggests practical ideas that parents can readily execute and advises them to seek extra help when needed. I think this approach empowers parents."--Lois L., mother
"This is an eminently usable book for professionals and parents, with straightforward directions for determining what help children may need and how to intervene effectively. Dr. Bloomquist clarifies the central role of parents in teaching children the skills they need, as well as the supports that parents need as they assume this responsibility. Professionals will appreciate the specific guidance provided to them in how to use the exercises, charts, and checklists as parts of clinical protocols. The skills Dr. Bloomquist details are fundamental to social, emotional and educational competence. That makes this a book of great hope: the struggling child can become a competent, successful child. And families, too often blamed as the source of their children's difficulties, can be supported in doing the patient, thoughtful work needed to achieve this success."--Glenace Edwall, PsyD, PhD, Minnesota Department of Human Service, Saint Paul, Minnesota
"Dr. Bloomquist has provided a thorough and comprehensive structure for parents to address skills development for children with behavior problems. Particularly noteworthy are the emphasis on developmental issues related to children's presenting concerns, the positive orientation, and the case illustrations that bring to life the essential points of the guidebook. This is an invaluable resource for practitioners who consult with parents or run parenting support groups or workshops. It certainly is an added bonus that the charts in each chapter are readily accessible to parents and practitioners."--Sandra L. Christenson, PhD, School Psychology Program, University of Minnesota
"Bloomquist manages to provide an accurate and clear description of the differences between the more serious behavior problems and the troublesome behavior of children in language that is easily understood by the parent. He also provides a succinct practitioner's guide to using the text with both parents and children. The relatively large and bold print emphasizing key points lends this book to easy reading and clear understanding....The clarity of the writing and the practical success plans are a real strength in this book. Graduate students, educators, marriage and family therapists, and clinical supervisors can benefit from this text. The text is an invaluable resource that can be a mainstay of the reference Iibrary for any practice setting. I was very impressed with it and recommend it to my graduate students entering the field-based practicum and internship phase of training."--Family Journal "A resource that many parents will appreciate. Its brevity, clarity, and organization accentuate the helpfulness of the many techniques that Bloomquist summarizes. The worksheets and charts facilitate the implementation of the well-established strategies in this manual....can be a useful adjunct to treatment that provides useful ideas."--APA PsycCRITIQUES "Two strengths of this book include its emphasis on behavior and its clarity....Appropriate audiences for this book include parents whose children are struggling with behavior problems at home, in school, or in other social settings, and the professionals who serve them. This book can also be an excellent resource for teachers and others who interact with children and adolescents in their careers....Professional clinicians and students who are involved in graduate-level training that involves working with children and adolescents could benefit from familiarity with the charts and skill development worksheets. The bibliography of suggested readings included in this book is a useful guide for students and practitioners alike....As a resource for parents to use with practitioners, this book offers theoretical perspective and concrete guidance in a viable format."--Research on Social Work Practice
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.
Synopsis
This clearly written guidebook, designed for use by both parents and therapists, targets typical problem areas for children with behavior disorders and provides background information, step-by-step instructions, and many useful worksheets and concrete examples to assist parents and therapists in skills training efforts. The parent portion of the book provides up-to-date information about the nature of behavior disorders in children, common treatment approaches, and practical suggestions. Parents are encouraged to evaluate which areas their family and child need to work on most, and many ideas are presented to make parenting and family interactions less frustrating and more productive. An additional section offers therapists suggestions on how to use the guidebook in their work with children and parents. This section delineates the theoretical underpinnings of the author's approach, reviews relevant research findings, and lays out detailed procedures for conducting skills training interventions.
About the Author
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 [i]Helping Children with Aggression and Conduct Problems[/i], and has coauthored articles in peer-reviewed journals.
Table of Contents
Parent's Guide
1. Understanding Behavior and Adjustment Problems in Children
2. Developing a Plan for a Struggling Child
3. Enhancing Self-Control Development
4. Enhancing Social Development
5. Enhancing Emotional Development
6. Enhancing Academic Development
7. Improving Parent Well-Being
8. Improving Family Relationships
9. Maintaining Improvements for Your Child and Family
10. Accessing Additional Services for the Child and Family
Practitioner's Guide
11. A Practitioner's Guide to Using This Book with Children and Parents
Appendix. Ideas for Rewarding Child Behavior
Suggested Readings