What follows are brief descriptions of a number of articles written by Dr. Sutton on topics relating to Home & Family, School, and Counseling. These involve his personal experiences and the experiences shared with him by others. Most of these articles have appeared in different blogs and The Changing Behavior Digest (formerly the ODD Management Digest) over the last several years.
These articles are available to any school, association, group or organization who might be able to use them in their newsletters, blogs, or other sources of information. There are only two stipulations to their use:
1. They must be used as provided.
2. The must all carry the by-line at the end.
We have put the description and links of the articles on a companion page of this same link: Links for Articles. They will require a password for access. The reason for the password has nothing to do with security, but is rather an effort to control exposure through the web so that the articles will be ”fresher” for your use.
To request the password (and we don’t anticipate turning anyone down on this), email Dr. Sutton at suttonjd@docspeak.com. Put “Password for Articles” in the subject line and, if you will, tell us in the email how you intend to use them.
What follows is a quick overview of the articles. Again, they are in categories of Home & Family, School, and Counseling.
Home & Family
(638 words) AVOIDING THE BACKLASH OF BARGAINING–Offering rewards and incentives for compliance and desired behavior sounds like a great idea … until it doesn’t work. Consider a better way.
(491 words) MAGIC AT BEDTIME: A GREAT WAY TO REACH OUT TO YOUR CHILD–Here’s an almost ironclad way to recapture and strengthen a relationship. It involves a parent’s quiet presence at the best-possible time.
(549 words) APPROACH TO NONCOMPLIANCE: A MEETING THAT NEVER HAPPENS–Sometimes the best way to get a youngster to do a task is to set it up in such a way that compliance becomes their choice.
(781 words) TROUBLE TALKING WITH YOUR CHILD? LISTEN TO WHAT’S NOT BEING SAID–Youngsters can have fears and concerns that are difficult for them to talk about. Sometimes the fears come from misunderstanding. Knowing this can help a parent support and encourage a child to share more openly.
(626 words) ONE STRATEGY FOR DEFIANT BEHAVIOR: SPIT IN THE SOUP!–One excellent way to manage defiant behavior is to provoke the child out of it (with a smile, of course).
(947 words) WHY CHILDREN MISBEHAVE–Young people act out for two reasons. Effective intervention must address both of them.
(426 words) MANAGING ANGER (OURS!)–Few things will shut down interventions for difficult and defiant behavior more than a parent’s prolonged frustration and anger. Here are several suggestions for dealing with this common problem of communication.
(558 words) CONNECTING WITH YOUR KIDS: SLOW IT DOWN–Although it’s true we all live in a fast-paced world, communication that heals and builds on relationships should happen slowly. A great suggestion for accomplishing this is included.
(720 words) TREATMENT FOR ODD: BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION OR SOMETHING ELSE–Just in case there’s any question about it, behavior modification (most typically involving the use of rewards and incentives for desired behavior) isn’t always the treatment of choice for oppositional and defiant behavior.
(772 words) TURBULENT TIMES: DISCUSSING THEM WITH YOUR CHILD–Everyday news often can be upsetting to a child or teen. Here are seven specific things we can do to help them.
(807 words) CAN A CHILD ENJOY BEING IN TROUBLE CONSTANTLY?–How does a youngster draw “benefit” from frustrating and provoking adults. This articles answers this question and suggests five ways to manage the problem.
School
(Teachers mentioned by name have given written permission for their idea to be shared.)
(268 words) THE “BEFOR I GET MAD” POSTER–Here’s a very unique and fun way to encourage appropriate behavior in the classroom.
(397 words) CONTROL CREAM: RECIPE FOR SELF-SOOTHING–Here’s a fun way to teach students to calm and soothe themselves when anxious or upset. Best of all, it works!
(285 words) “TRUST ME; I’LL COVER YOUR BACK–This teacher’s simple gesture of encouragement and “guaranteed” success can build a great deal of trust with one student or a whole class.
(265 words) FLY IN YOUR HOMEWORK–Turning in homework doesn’t have to be an ordinary, everyday thing. Jazz it up with this great idea.
(503 words) GYPSY’S MARK–Animals have always had a special way of reaching to a youngster. This way is a bit different, but enormously successful, just the same.
(390 words) THE PRIVACY DESK–Recognizing and addressing a youngster’s need for more personal space in the classroom can go a long way in keeping things settled and focused.
Counseling
(329 words) “I JUST GOT BACK FROM THE MOON!”–A youngster who shares an outlandish and impossible tale with you just might be providing as much deeper message.
(484 words) “IT DOESN’T BOTHER ME THAT MUCH”–Here’s a pretty drastic “cure” for the youngster who wants to minimize critical issues.
(412 words) DUANE WITH NO BRAIN: THE COST OF MISUNDERSTANDING–This story underscores why it’s so important to be certain a youngster clearly understands what we’re telling them.
(349 words) INK OR OIL?–This short and sweet activity quickly and effectively demonstrates how or response to trouble and difficulty matters a great deal.
(409 words) THE TEN-MINUTE SOLUTION–Whenever a youngster feels “forced” to see you, this spontaenously short session (with its accompanying dialog) can create the strongest benefit.
(584 words) THE LIST–When a youngster begins to set the agenda for counseling, they might be attempting to overcontrol to their own detriment. Here’s a relationship-sensitive way of handling it.