Based on the book “The Explosive Child” by Ross W. Greene

“An explosive outburst—like other forms of maladaptive behavior—occurs when the cognitive demands being placed upon a person outstrip that person’s capacity to respond adaptively.” – Ross W. Greene

Do you experience challenging behavior by your kid(s) such as screaming, swearing, crying, hitting, kicking, spitting, and/or biting? These can be just a few of the challenging behaviors seen in children who are having difficulty meeting their parents’ expectations. As a result, parents are often left feeling frustrated, angry, overwhelmed, and desperate for ways to change this.

It is not uncommon for children to experience these explosive behaviors, and it can truly be a scary, stressful event for both you and your child. Often times children will feel sorry once they have worn themselves out and calmed down from their behavior(s). As a parent, it can be extremely challenging to understand where these behaviors come from and how to handle them effectively when they do come.

Sometimes, parents see these behaviors as their child trying to manipulate them into doing something. However, children that have these explosive outbursts do not have the skill to manage their feelings and express them in a more mature way. Your child may also lack language, or impulse control, or problem-solving abilities. In the end, how you react when your child lashes out has an effect on whether they will continue to respond to distress in the same way, or learn better ways to handle feelings so they don’t become overwhelming.

My goal for this 8 week group is for you to begin to understand why and when your child does these challenging behaviors, and how to best respond in effective, nonpunitive ways.

Some of the topics that will be cover are:

• Understand the factors contributing to challenging episodes.
• Identify the specific situations in which challenging episodes are likely to happen.
• Reduce or eliminate challenging episodes by solving the problems which cause them.
• Solve problems collaboratively (rather than unilaterally) and proactively (rather than reactively).
• Help your child develop the skills to be more flexible, solve problems, and handle frustration more adaptively.
• Reduce hostility and antagonism between you and your child

When: Begins Thursday, October 15 (weekly for 8 weeks; excluding 11/26 for Thanksgiving)

• Thursdays: 9:00 am – 10:30 am *Space is limited to 10 participants*

Where: Life Skills Resource Group, 6068 S. Apopka Vineland Rd., Orlando, FL, 32819

Rates: $55 Registration Fee (Includes cost of book and the first session fee)

Contact: Amy Smith at [email protected] or call the office at 407.355.7378 to sign up.$45 per session (whether you attend or not)
*Registration Ends October 12, 2015 ($55 fee is fully refundable until 10/12; after 10/12: registration fee not refundable; group fee is refundable if we find a person to fill your spot)

Click here to view the group’s flyer and registration form.

If you want help for your child’s explosive episodes, but not sure about in the group setting, our Orlando Child Counselors and Orlando Teen Counselors are here to help. . It could be the launch pad to the relationship between you and your kids that you have always known was there. Visit Life Skills Resource Group Orlando to get started and give us a call at at 407-355-7378 to schedule a free phone consultation.