Centre for Occupational Therapy, Marc Pfeiffenberger, Elmshorn

Behavioural training

In those cases where patients show distinctive features in terms of their behaviour, problems relating their ability to interact with others, attention and activity disorders (ADD/ADHD), enuresis/encopresis, disorders of perception, learning or performance disorders, we also incorporate knowledge derived from behavioural therapy (based on Dr. Fritz Jansen® and others). This may include the application of the following methods:

• measures that give a new direction to behavioural patterns, sometimes in conjunction with other therapeutic approaches
• the counselling of parents, teachers and other attachment figures
• behavioural training supported by video analysis based on Dr. Fritz Jansen® and Uta Streit
• the application of training programmes derived from behavioural therapy based on the approaches of Döpfner, Lauth and Schlottke, and Cramer

Training programmes derived from behavioural therapy are based on the assumption that behavioural patterns are largely influenced by subconscious interpersonal signals.

How do children develop certain behavioural patterns?

Positive and negative reactions of attachment figures, expressed through gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, as well as speech, have an effect on how the child steers and adapts its behaviour. As Dr. Fritz Jansen put it: ‘For this reason, the child aligns its behaviour largely to those reactions that parents show in less than one second. However, the parent’s reaction to the child’s behaviour following that window of time in most cases escapes the attention of the child. Hence, parents frequently fail to understand that despite their best efforts educational objectives are not being implemented by the child.’

Reasons for behavioural disorders:

In many cases, children showing attention deficits, disorders of perception, and other unusual features in their development face difficulties in automating positive behavioural patterns. This is because of impairments affecting their ability to store, cross-link, and retrieve perceptions and information. Negative reactions, such as aggression, defensiveness, and social insecurity, are then likely to become established behavioural patterns. Educating these children is significantly more difficult for those involved. Especially children with attention deficit disorders (ADD/ADHD) and other disorders of perception develop profound difficulties regarding to their ability to perform, interact socially and experience emotions. For these children behavioural training forms an integral part of a multimodal treatment.

Behavioural training:

A video analysis allows for the identification of adverse behavioural and interpersonal patterns between the child, its parents and other family members. Based on such an analysis it is possible to develop approaches for both a more effective communication and a more harmonious relationship with the child. Through behavioural training the child is enabled to establish positive behavioural patterns and to reduce its difficulties in everyday life. Subsequently, the interactions between children and their parents and teachers can improve and provide the foundations for a healthy future development.