ACQ_Vol_11_no_3_2009

that problems in social skills and emotional regulation in their child might at least partly underlie their problematic behaviour is a new concept and the majority of parents are keen for their child to learn these skills, especially if this means that their child might be diverted from going down the “naughty child” path. Finally, parents are given a number of questionnaires to complete. A further understanding of the child is gained from conducting child observations and teacher interviews, and an individual interview with each selected child helps to establish rapport with them. Areas targeted in the Kool Kids group include understanding, expressing and managing emotions (especially anger), thinking about other people’s feelings, friendship and problem solving skills, as well as social communication skills. A combination of games, activities, role-play, stories, books, puppets, discussion, and music is used. The Kool Kids program uses social learning theory, behavioural methods and basic cognitive behavioural strategies in a structured 12 x 60 minute program (see table 2). Each group is jointly facilitated by a KKPP clinician and a school staff member, e.g., a school welfare coordinator, chaplain, assistant principal or teacher.

Table 1. Levels of KKPP intervention

Universal prevention

Community level Community presentations,

conferences, links with community agencies and media Whole school professional development Teacher consultations Presentations to parent and school community around social/ emotional wellbeing Provision of a classroom program around social and emotional skills development Teacher consultation Focus on grades prep to 3 Tools for early identification of children at risk Kool Kids group program for children with identified problematic behaviour Group program for parents of identified children Both groups jointly run by KKPP staff and school staff Focus on grades prep to 3 Individualised focussed intervention for specific children with additional concerns Behavioural assessment and development of a positive behaviour support plan May involve additional meetings

School level

Classroom level

Group level

Targeted early intervention

Table 2. Kool Kids group Session Topic/area 1 Getting to know you 2

Speaking and listening skills

Indicated early intervention

Individual level

3

Feelings in self

4

Feelings in others and perspective taking

5

Recognising anger

6

Kev’s calming down steps

7

Managing angry feelings

with parents and/or teachers Focus on grades prep to 3

8

Problem busters

9

Joining in and turn taking

Further professional development about child social-emotional development is provided mid-way through the year and following this, the KKPP classroom program is implemented for all children in grades prep to 3. KKPP clinicians support teachers to implement this program by working side by side in the classroom for some sessions, which include discussion, games, music, role-plays and activities with the optional use of puppets, worksheets and follow up activities. Targeted early intervention A key component of the KKPP program is the focus on early intervention for children who already show behavioural difficulties. Careful selection of participants involves discussion with teachers and use of a screening tool, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ; Goodman, 2001). The SDQ is short, simple and easy to use, has good psychometric properties, comes in youth, teacher and parent versions, and is publicly available on-line at no cost. Once completed, the SDQ yields a total difficulties score as well as scores on five subscales: 1) emotional problems, 2) conduct problems, 3) attention and over-activity, 4) peer relationship problems and 5) prosocial skills. Children “at risk” are those scoring high on conduct problems. The KKPP clinician then contacts the parents of “at risk” children to arrange an interview, engage the parent, gather a history, discuss the program and expectations and to set goals. The parent needs to give consent for their child to take part in the children’s Kool Kids group, and make a commitment to attend the KKPP parent group. For many parents, the idea

10

Being friendly

11

Cool compliments

12

Review and celebration

The KKPP parent group is based on Parent Management Training (PMT); this being one of the most empirically supported interventions for school-aged children with behaviour problems (AACAP, 2007). The main areas addressed in the KKPP parent group program are in strengthening the parent–child relationship, planned use of behaviour management strategies, attunement and communication with children. Use of a group program also provides an opportunity for parents to feel less alone and more supported by others. The KKPP parent group runs for 8 x 120 minute sessions (see table 3). The parent group programs are again jointly facilitated by a KKPP clinician and a school support staff member, such as the school psychologist, guidance officer, social worker, assistant principal or chaplain. All of the school co-facilitators for the parent groups and the children’s group attend a full day’s training for each group program and receive manuals, materials and on-the-job training and support. Indicated early intervention Consultation with teachers around problematic behaviour in specific children is available to all teachers of children from prep to grade 6. For children who have particularly problematic

161

ACQ Volume 11, Number 3 2009

www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au