Parenting Program for Families with Hyperactive Preschoolers

Are you looking for help parenting your hyperactive preschooler?

In the fall of 2009, we will be offering a new parenting program designed specifically to meet the needs of parents with hyperactive preschoolers. Because this program is part of a research project aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of this program, we are able to offer it at no charge to eligible families.

The program:

The program teaches specific parenting strategies designed to develop and maintain positive parent-child relationships while addressing some of the challenging behaviors that hyperactive preschoolers often display. We offer the program in a group setting (up to 10 families per group) so that parents can learn from each other and draw support from other families who face similar challenges. There are 11 to 14 group sessions and one individual session. Supervised on-site activities will be offered for children for a small fee ($2 per session per child; this fee can be waived for families who cannot afford it).

Where:

UMass Psychological Services Center located in Tobin Hall

  • free parking
  • near bus route

When:

We anticipate beginning the program in October or November of 2009 on Mondays from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., but will be offering additional groups at different times later this school year.

What does the research project involve?

  • Family assessments conducted at the UMass Psychological Services Center before the program begins and again at the end of the program (1 ½ hours each). These involve filling out questionnaires, videotaped and audiotaped parent-child interactions, and testing children's skills.
  • Completion of brief rating scales at two times during the program
  • Group sessions will be videotaped for quality assurance
  • Some families will be randomly selected to be placed on a waiting list so that we can evaluate the effectiveness of the program. In addition, some families will be randomly chosen to participate in an extended version of the program (14 sessions as opposed to 11 sessions).

What should I do if I'm interested?

Please call the UMass Psychological Services Center (413-545-0041) and ask for Sharonne Herbert. Inquiries may also be made by email at sdherber@psych.umass.edu or by contacting Dr. Lisa Harvey (413-577-2755 or eharvey@psych.umass.edu)

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