Behavioural Support Team for Children

Behavioural support is offered to help children aged 4-12 who have moderate to severe behavioural difficulties. A team of professionals called the Behavioural Support Team have specialized expertise in delivering treatment to children with disruptive behaviour disorders. The team includes a psychologist, social workers, and a youth worker. 

The Behavioural Support Team works with children, families, guardians and other systems including day cares, schools, group homes across Prince Edward Island.

Is my child eligible? 

Your child can be referred to the service if: 

• they are between the ages of 4-12; 
• they are experiencing moderate to severe behavioural difficulties; 
• their primary difficulty is a disruptive behaviour disorder (oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder), but may also have some other difficulties (attention, anxiety, academic, etc.);
• their symptoms are present in more than one setting (home, school, community, etc.); or
• they have already had an initial treatment attempt, but requires more intensive intervention. 

The programs are designed to address difficulties such as excessive arguing, fighting, yelling, property destruction, cursing, verbal and physical aggression. They can also help with excessive hyperactivity, impulsivity, distractibility, impaired socialization, and academic struggles.

What services does the Behavioural Support Team offer? 

The Behavioural Support Team offers:

• group programming for children and parents; 
• parent education, treatment, and support; 
• presentations and workshops; 
• assessment and treatment planning; 
• resource information; and 
• consultation and support to other agencies. 

How do I make a referral to the Behavioural Support Team? 

All referrals to the Behavioural Support Team go through the centralized phone line. If you are a parent or guardian, and would like to talk to someone about the program or make a referral, call 902-368-4430. 

If you are a physician or other service provider, you can submit a Child and Youth Referral Form [PDF | 191 KB] or call Children’s Centralized Intake at 902-368-4430. 

What are some of the evidence-based programs that are offered? 

Coping Power Program - For Parents
The Coping Power Program – For Parents is a 15-week training program. It is preventative intervention delivered to parents of children who are in late elementary to middle school. The program uses skills-based training to increase social competence, self-regulation and positive parental involvement. It has many benefits, including reduced substance use, reduced delinquency and lower aggression.

Coping Power Program - For Kids
The Coping Power Program – For Kids is a 15-week program for 9- to 12-year-olds that teaches skills for problem solving and managing emotions. An intervention aimed at teaching aggressive children how to problem solve, improve goal setting and learn social, organization and study skills. The program promotes family communication, reduces substance use and improves behavior at school. Kids attend group at the same time the parent/guardian is attending the parent group.

Incredible Years Parenting Program
The Incredible Years Parenting Program is a 15-week program for parents that aims to reduce challenging behaviours in children and increase social emotional learning and self-control skills. Throughout the program, parents will learn to promote positive behaviours in their children, manage their child’s disruptive behaviours, strengthen parent-child interactions and attachment and learn coping skills for parents. This group is offered at the same time their child attends the Dinosaur Treatment School Program. Parents will learn what their children are working on, and therefore help them practice at home. 

Dinosaur Treatment School Program (Incredible Years)
The Dinosaur Treatment School Program (Incredible Years) is a 15-week program for children aged 4-8. It is designed to treat challenging, disruptive and aggressive behavior. “Dino School” teaches children positive ways to communicate, solve problems, regulate emotions, build self-esteem and develop social skills. This program is for children with disruptive behaviours as the primary concern. This group is offered at the same time their parent/guardian is in the Incredible Years Parenting Program. 

Triple P 
The Positive Parenting Program is a helpful, practical and easy-to-use approach for parents with a focus on positive parenting techniques. The program empowers all parents with skills and knowledge to effectively address day-to-day minor parenting challenges or more serious behavioural issues. Discussion groups cover topics such as dealing with disobedience; manage fighting and aggression; hassle-free shopping and developing good bedtime routines. Triple P programming may be offered individually or in groups.

Other programs and support include:

• Parent education and support; 
• Social and emotional skills training for children; and 
• Consultations to other professionals and agencies.