Response to Peers for Case Study: Craig and Abigail Kazilieris

Response to Nathalie Grant

Psychotherapeutic intervention for Craig and  Abigail would be music therapy for both of the children. However, I would also include the Stepping Stones Triple P-Enhanced program for Abigail. Therapeutic interventions based on a variety of approaches attempt to help children on the spectrum improve physiological and cognitive aspects; enhance their social, linguistic, and communication skills, and promote their optimal development and well-being (Salomon-Gimmon & Elefant, 2019). According to Salomon-Gimmon & Elefant, (2019) studies show that music therapy is very effective in improving developmental characteristics such as social interaction, nonverbal and verbal communicative skills, social adaptation, joy, and the quality of the parent-child relationship (Salomon-Gimmon & Elefant, 2019). The Stepping Stones Triple P-Positive Parenting Program SSTP is one intervention designed specifically for parents of children with disability. It is a combination of prevention and treatment systems for both preventing behavioral and emotional problems. SSTP parents develop a wide range of skills for managing challenging behavior and teaching developmental skills (Ruane,  & Carr, 2019).

To build a supportive environment around Craig and Abigail that would support their capabilities and strengthen their weaknesses would first be to build a rapport with the parents and then the children. Once trust and communication are established with the family, then the family and therapist can work together to ensure that treatment goals and progress are meeting expectations. It is also important to be supportive of their decisions without being judgmental.

The family will need much support as they care for their children. One means of support would be family therapy. Family therapy is designed to help people within the family make sense of difficult situations, and help them work together to develop new ways to manage these difficulties. Family therapy can improve communication, and coping skills for the parents and the children. Studies show that these therapies can improve communication coping skills, mental health, and well‐being (Ruane, & Carr, 2019).

Response to Tochukwu Nnadi

One potential psychotherapeutic intervention for Craig is Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP). Several authors contend that DMP is an effective psychotherapy intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (Aithal et al., 2020; Aithal et al., 2021). DMP supports the integration of mind and body through creative movement expression. The rhythmic circle dance formations will be tailored to meet Craig’s needs. DMP for children with autism spectrum disorder focuses on body informed and non-verbal interpersonal exchanges that attempt to meet the children empathetically (Aithal et al., 2020; Aithal et al., 2021).

Similarly, I would focus on the interventions to improve her socialization skills and behavioral functioning for Abigail. Although it is crucial to individualize this intervention to Abigail’s interest, the intervention must be applied consistently to support optimal thinking, expression, behavior, and adaptive functioning (Pivalizza, 2022). For example, I would reinforce acceptable behaviors by rewarding her with positive attention or the desired reinforcer, such as an appropriate treat or a preferred activity. In this respect, I would ignore misbehavior so that she no longer uses them to get attention (Pivalizza, 2022).

To build a supportive environment for Craig and Abigail, I would try my best to modify their environment by reducing identified triggers of problem behaviors. For example, reducing noise when the noise has been identified as the trigger (Pivalizza, 2022).

I understand that children with special needs like Craig and Abigail pose extra demands on parents and can lead to considerable stress (Aithal et al., 2020). To support their family, I would introduce the parent to logotherapy. Logotherapy focuses on meaningfulness, purposefulness, and hopefulness in life, which is associated with general health. Logotherapy has been found to be effective in managing stress and improving the psychological well-being of parents with special needs children (Faramarzi & Bavali, 2017).

Response to Nathalie Grant

Psychotherapeutic intervention for Craig and  Abigail would be music therapy for both of the children. However, I would also include the Stepping Stones Triple P-Enhanced program for Abigail. Therapeutic interventions based on a variety of approaches attempt to help children on the spectrum improve physiological and cognitive aspects; enhance their social, linguistic, and communication skills, and promote their optimal development and well-being (Salomon-Gimmon & Elefant, 2019). According to Salomon-Gimmon & Elefant, (2019) studies show that music therapy is very effective in improving developmental characteristics such as social interaction, nonverbal and verbal communicative skills, social adaptation, joy, and the quality of the parent-child relationship (Salomon-Gimmon & Elefant, 2019). The Stepping Stones Triple P-Positive Parenting Program SSTP is one intervention designed specifically for parents of children with disability. It is a combination of prevention and treatment systems for both preventing behavioral and emotional problems. SSTP parents develop a wide range of skills for managing challenging behavior and teaching developmental skills (Ruane,  & Carr, 2019).

To build a supportive environment around Craig and Abigail that would support their capabilities and strengthen their weaknesses would first be to build a rapport with the parents and then the children. Once trust and communication are established with the family, then the family and therapist can work together to ensure that treatment goals and progress are meeting expectations. It is also important to be supportive of their decisions without being judgmental.

The family will need much support as they care for their children. One means of support would be family therapy. Family therapy is designed to help people within the family make sense of difficult situations, and help them work together to develop new ways to manage these difficulties. Family therapy can improve communication, and coping skills for the parents and the children. Studies show that these therapies can improve communication coping skills, mental health, and well‐being (Ruane, & Carr, 2019).

Response to Tochukwu Nnadi

One potential psychotherapeutic intervention for Craig is Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP). Several authors contend that DMP is an effective psychotherapy intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (Aithal et al., 2020; Aithal et al., 2021). DMP supports the integration of mind and body through creative movement expression. The rhythmic circle dance formations will be tailored to meet Craig’s needs. DMP for children with autism spectrum disorder focuses on body informed and non-verbal interpersonal exchanges that attempt to meet the children empathetically (Aithal et al., 2020; Aithal et al., 2021).

Similarly, I would focus on the interventions to improve her socialization skills and behavioral functioning for Abigail. Although it is crucial to individualize this intervention to Abigail’s interest, the intervention must be applied consistently to support optimal thinking, expression, behavior, and adaptive functioning (Pivalizza, 2022). For example, I would reinforce acceptable behaviors by rewarding her with positive attention or the desired reinforcer, such as an appropriate treat or a preferred activity. In this respect, I would ignore misbehavior so that she no longer uses them to get attention (Pivalizza, 2022).

To build a supportive environment for Craig and Abigail, I would try my best to modify their environment by reducing identified triggers of problem behaviors. For example, reducing noise when the noise has been identified as the trigger (Pivalizza, 2022).

I understand that children with special needs like Craig and Abigail pose extra demands on parents and can lead to considerable stress (Aithal et al., 2020). To support their family, I would introduce the parent to logotherapy. Logotherapy focuses on meaningfulness, purposefulness, and hopefulness in life, which is associated with general health. Logotherapy has been found to be effective in managing stress and improving the psychological well-being of parents with special needs children (Faramarzi & Bavali, 2017).