ADDitude Picks: Best Resources for Behavior and Discipline
Need help parenting a child with ADHD or a learning disability like dyslexia? Here are great tools tailored to every child.
Empathetic Approach for the Sensitive/Energetic Child
Raising Your Spirited Child, by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka (parentchildhelp.com), is a classic guide that offers a positive four-step program for handling behavior from mealtime to bedtime, for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). (Book, workbook, audiotape)
Basic Discipline for Any Child
Thomas W. Phelan’s 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 (parentmagic.com) is a simple approach-control obnoxious behavior, encourage good behavior, strengthen the bond with your child-that parents should have in their discipline toolbox. (Books, video, DVD, CD)
Reward and Punishment for Out-of-Control Children
Russell A. Barkley stresses consistency and cooperation, and promoting change through a system of praise and punishment (Your Defiant Child; russellbarkley.org). (Videoconferences, book, workbooks)
No-Shout Discipline for All Kids
Foster W. Cline’s philosophy — Parenting with Love and Logic (loveandlogic.com) — shows parents how to introduce practical consequences to children’s behavior while teaching them to solve their own problems. (Books, workshops, seminars)
Cognitive Approach for Easily Frustrated/Inflexible Children
Ross W. Greene proposes that challenging behavior be handled as if it were a learning disability in The Explosive Child (cpsconnection.com). His approach empowers parents to teach their child the cognitive skills needed to manage behavior. (Book, seminars, consultations)
One-on-One Professional Help
Log on to the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies website (abct.org) for the latest research. Use its search function to find a cognitive therapist who can work with you and your child to solve discipline problems.
