PDN Article: September 14, 2013
One of the stories in the recent musical production of
"Fidgety Fairy Tales," " The Frog Prince," is about
collaborative problem-solving. Collaborative problem solving is an approach for
resolving conflict in a collaborative manner. This model of problem solving was
developed by Ross W. Greene in his book, "The Explosive Child."
The collaborative problem-solving approach is an invaluable
reference and a recommended reading to all parents and adults working with
children/youths who are struggling to find a comfortable level of self, and who
may express themselves through aggressive, defiant or erratic physical or
verbal display.
The model provides a compassionate, accurate understanding of
the child/youth behavioral challenges and a non-adversarial effective approach
for reducing challenging behavior, improving communication, repairing
relationship, and improving the quality of life of explosive children and those
who care for them.
Greene's major tenet as to why kids have challenging behaviors
is that the challenging explosive behaviors of the child are the result of
neurologically based skills deficits. The child lacks the cognitive or thinking
skills and should be corrected by parents/adults collaborating with the
child/youth in how to problem solve -- not by parents or adults imposing their
will on the child/youth.
Through this collaborative approach, the dialog between the
child/youth and the parent/adult helps to get deeper in exploring what is
causing the behavior and explore a probable course for action. The approach
teaches skills in problem solving as well as help prevent reoccurrence of the
challenging behaviors.
Some common challenging explosive behavior: temper outburst,
whining, crying, pouting, sulking, withdrawing, screaming, swearing, hitting,
spitting, kicking, throwing, breaking, lying, stealing, etc.
One of the greatest benefits of Greene's book is the case
examples. There are numerous "scripts" in which the approach is
illustrated in different situations; school setting, family setting and in treatment
facility settings. The examples provide the reader with excellent
demonstrations of the model.
The book provides a practical and easily understood guide for
treating explosive children and adolescents. It is well written and easy to
follow for both professionals and parents.
Actually, the collaborative problem-solving approach is for
people in every relationship. It can work very well between adults; with
parents, couples, friends and others. If everyone incorporates this approach
into everyday life, our world would be more humane. It takes commitment and
time to solve a problem genuinely.
Annie F.B. Unpingco, LCSW, is administrator of I Famagu'on-ta at
the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center.
