ADVANCES IN CHILD-BEHAVIOR THERAPY - APPLICATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Research in child behavior therapy has made important advances in treating a variety of childhood disorders. Treatment applications are highlighted to sample areas where accomplishments have been achieved, including the treatment of fear and avoidance behavior, social behaviors, habit disorders, academic performance, conduct problems and delinquency, autism and childhood schizophrenia, and mental retardation. Also, advances have been made in training parents, teachers, and peers to interact more effectively with children in such a way as to promote prosocial and adaptive behavior. Although marked gains have been made in developing treatment techniques and in training those responsible for the care, education, and training of children, a great deal of research remains to be completed. Nevertheless, a modest technology of behavior change has emerged. On the basis of contemporary findings alone, much more could be done for the welfare of children if the techniques could be disseminated and applied to adult-child interaction more widely than in the context of clinical treatment. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1979 American Psychological Association.