Founder and Developer, PRAXES PRAXES AND Reducing Parent Stress in the Family of the Special needs Child November 9, 2016 Presented by Dan Thorne, LMFT Founder and Developer, PRAXES

Background of Developer 40 years in mental health, including over 30 years as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist 25 years as director of outpatient and inpatient mental health and substance abuse programs Parent of three adoptive children with mental health problems Challenged dog owner Click to add notes

Goal and objectives Discover ways to improve the functioning of the special needs family Connection between Parent Stress and the special needs child Improve approaches for parent involvement Explore parenting program designed to reduce parent stress and improve child behavior

What is a Special needs child? A child with impaired functioning in the community, home, or school due to mental health, intellectual, and/or physical challenges.

What is parenting stress? Parenting Stress Index (Abadin, 1990) Parental Distress – emotional pain parent experiences in role as parent. Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction – perception that child doesn’t meet parent’s expectations Difficult Child – ability of child to manage beahvior

Why is parenting stress so important? Relationship between parenting stress and: Child development status Child cognitive delay Is also biodirectional (goes back and forth) Cousino and Hazen (2013)

Why is parenting stress so important? Relationship between parenting stress and: Martial conflict Poor physical health Parent depression Neece et al (2012), Hassall et al (2005)

Parenting stress treatment Barriers In denial about problem Lack of knowledge Not wanting to be involved Not wanting to be blamed for child

Parenting Programs In survey of over thirty programs, include IY, 3P, and Active Parenting, only two specifically used parenting stress reduction techniques (Bennett et al, 2013). Most parenting programs focus on child What is done with parent? Teach parenting skills

New Approaches Engagement skills (more listening) Allow parents to accept their feelings Empowerment skills Support in community Advocacy skills

Parents Reach achieve and excel through empowerment strategies (PRAXES) 12 session program for parenting stress of families with special needs children Focus on parent self-care, awareness, and ability Emerging practice, with research and manual Results- reduce stress 33%, child behavior problems 40% (PSI and & ECBI outcome measures)

PRAXES IS: Ideal for non-therapists Blends well with wraparound, TBS, FSP, other at-risk family approaches One on one sessions in field, office, or community English and Spanish

Why does praxes work? Parent as survivor Individualized attention to parent’s needs and strengths Empowerment skills- stress, assertion, supports, advocacy Adjust parent expectations of self and child

Certification process for staff and agency One Day Practitioner Training - $135 Half Day Supervisor Training - $60 Twelve Conference Calls for Supervisor Half Day Booster Training at 6 month mark - $60

Sustainability Plan Parent Manuals in English and Spanish - $30- 35 for print version, $18-23 for license version Parenting Stress Index- $90/25 tests Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory - $45/ 25 tests Fidelity measures Data collection to PRAXES

Option 1 Live training track California – by agency or community trainings Dates and locations - TBD Will provide agencies who host training discount for hosting

Option 2 - Webinar track Initial practitioner training – 6 hrs.-1/20/17- $115 with manual (20% off) Supervisor training – 1/24/17 - 3 hrs. - $48 (20% off) Booster Training – TBD - 3 hrs. - $48 (20% off )

References Robinson, C., York, K., Rothenberg, A., & Bissell, L. (2014). Parenting a Child with Asperger’s Syndrome: A Balancing Act. Journal of Child & Family Studies, 24, 2310-2321. Hassall, R., Rose, J., & McDonald, J. (2005). Parenting Stress in Mothers of Children with an Intellectual Disability: the Effects of Parental Cognitions in Relation to Child Characteristics and Family Support. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 49 (6), 405-418. Cousino, M., & Hazen, R., (2013). Parenting Stress Among Caregivers of Children with Chronic Illness: A Systematic Review. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 38 (8), 809-828. Bennett, C., Barlow, J., Huband, N., Smailagic, N., & Roloff, V. (2013). Group-Based Parenting Programs for Improving Parenting and Psychosocial Functioning: A Systematic Review, Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 4 (4), 300- 332. Abidin, R. (1990). Introduction to the special issue: The stresses of parenting. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 19(4), 298- 301. Neece, C., Green, S., & Baker, B. (2012). Parenting stress and child behavior problems: A transactional relationship across time. American Journal of Intellectual Developmental Disabilities, 117(1); 48-66.

Questions? Thank you Dan thorne, LMFT Dan.Thorne@praxesmodel.com www.praxesmodel.com 657-200-5031