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$74.00 USD

97% rating - reviews

0.35  ASHA CEUs

Managing The Defiant Or Uncooperative Child During Therapy #e206


Presenter: Adina Soclof, MS, CCC-SLP

Learn effective and practical strategies to manage challenging and defiant behavior in your young clients.


"This was the best course I have taken in a long time...organized, informative, relatable, useful, and great examples throughout."

– J.F., prior course participant

Read more comments about this course!

This course teaches clinicians effective and practical strategies to manage challenging and defiant behavior in their young clients. Children with difficult temperaments and those with developmental delays may have learned to express their dissatisfaction with challenging and defiant behavior like whining, anger, temper tantrums or bad language. They sometimes engage in negative behavior or “misbehave” because they do not have the necessary skills – communicative or otherwise – to make their needs known.

This course will also focus on how clinicians can educate parents on how to manage difficult behavior and avoid power struggles at home. The dynamics and techniques described in this course are intended for use with typically functioning children and those with developmental or language delays. They are not generally adequate or even appropriate for children with serious behavior conditions like oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorders.

Course is offered for 0.35 ASHA CEUs – 3.5 Contact Hours.

Course Overview & Run Time

Course Overview – Run Time: 3:30:20

  • Identification and forms of defiance.
  • Reasons for defiant behavior.
  • Triggers of defiant behavior.
  • Therapeutic interventions to prevent defiant behavior.
  • Counseling parents of defiant children.
  • Setting up a home to avoid power struggles.
  • Responding appropriately to defiance in verbal children to avoid power struggles.
"The principles taught in this course can be implemented immediately and are relevant to all clinicians. I highly recommend this course to any adults who work with children including parents."

– S.D., prior course participant

Read more comments about this course!

Content Disclosures

The content of this online CE course does not focus exclusively on any specific proprietary product or service. Presenter financial and non-financial disclosures may be found in the Presenter & Disclosures area.

Course Format

Video PowerPoint presentation with author narration & downloadable handout. Stop and re-start the course at any point. Learners retain access to course content after completion for ongoing reference and review.

Reviews

Comments From Prior Course Participants

"Ways to praise defiant children will help me with my clients. I liked all the examples the instructor gave on how to work with defiant children." D.L. (Dec. 2024)

"The different behaviors associated with defiant behavior were beneficial to discuss. Some I had already discovered, but others I had not. I liked the focus of how to handle the defiance so that it does not escalate." L.S. (Dec. 2024)

"I liked the information regarding how important it is to remain calm and remember that it is not the patient's fault he is acting defiantly. I also found the information regarding praise very beneficial and I will implement that into my therapy sessions. I liked all the valuable resources and examples provided for therapy." A.M. (Nov. 2024)

"Strategies for preventing and managing challenging behaviors. Very well organized and clearly presented course." T.R. (Nov. 2024)

"All of the course was beneficial- I loved the real-life examples and scenarios. Breaking down each area rather than listing out each idea and moving on." B.S. (Oct. 2024)

"Better clarity and understanding of different approaches to defiant behavior. I liked the strategies to counter defiant behavior." K.G. (Sep. 2024)

"It was beneficial to discuss how to assist children in managing uncooperative/defiant behavior through various skills. This course provided a lot of details about all the topics it covers. It was very informative and helpful, giving extensive examples of strategies to use which are necessary and effective in diffusing defiant behavior. I found the topic to be extremely well covered by Ms. Soclof and would definitely recommend this course to others." B.S. (Sep. 2024)

"Behavior was beneficial to discuss. I liked everything in this course." D.H. (Aug. 2024)

"Discussing types of praise was helpful. Good examples and when to use them." E.V. (Aug. 2024)

"I really enjoyed all the different strategies for helping defiant children. I liked the examples given to help our clients." J.G. (Aug. 2024)

"Helping students learn their emotions and to self regulate. Learning how to help kids with their emotions." E.K. (Aug. 2024)

"I appreciated the examples of how to interpret what a child is actually saying when they are using negative words and what to say instead to make them feel heard. I liked that the presenter had videos and graphics to make the information easier to interpret." N.P. (Aug. 2024)

"I liked the online nature of the course." M.S. (Aug. 2024)

"Strategies to use with parents were helpful and I enjoyed the real-life examples." J.P. (Aug. 2024)

"All the useful strategies were beneficial. The "you wish" strategy was one that I have never heard before. This was the best course I have taken in a long time...organized, informative, relatable, useful, and great examples throughout." J.F. (May 2024)

"Steps to use in the moment when a child is defiant or uncooperative were helpful. I liked the practical strategies that I can take and use right away. Also, the course covered many situations that can occur." A.K. (Feb. 2024)

"I enjoyed the strategies to use right away with clients. Lots of examples." J.M. (Feb. 2024)

"It was helpful to discuss working through the steps of how to de-escalate. Good examples." C.S. (Jan. 2024)

"I liked a few ideas that were new to me." K.S. (Dec. 2023)

"Beneficial examples of activities for building problem-solving skills, and examples of wording to use when the student is in a defiant/challenging state." L.M. (Dec. 2023)

"All of the examples of specific phrasing to use with students/clients that are exhibiting defiant behaviors were beneficial. The more the presenter spoke, the more comfortable, relaxed, and engaging she became." C.S. (Dec. 2023)

"Concrete examples of situations and strategies to manage difficult behaviors. Multiple examples of concepts covered." K.M. (Dec. 2023)

"I appreciate the examples on how to best approach a defiant child at home, school, and/or social situations. I learned new strategies and also how defiant behaviors can be linked to a child's receptive and expressive language deficits. Well organized and very clear information." M.L. (Dec. 2023)

"Beneficial strategies for helping a defiant child. A lot of hands-on practical, applicable strategies." A.E. (Dec. 2023)

"The specific examples of what words or phrases to use were beneficial. Good examples and resources provided." M.L. (Dec. 2023)

"Learning how to defuse a defiant situation. Practical course." H.M. (Dec. 2023)

"I liked everything. Good examples and "scripts" provided." K.R. (Dec. 2023)

"I liked the empathy. And examples of phrases to use." K.C. (Oct. 2023)

"Practical strategies to change the course of the behavior. This course was very easy to listen to - informative and practical." C.B. (Oct. 2023)

"I really appreciated this course. The topics discussed were highly relevant and relatable." S.D. (Oct. 2023)

"The principles taught in this course can be implemented immediately and are relevant to all clinicians. I highly recommend this course to any adults who work with children including parents." S.D. (Oct. 2023)

"It was very nice that the presenter included many videos to explain different methods and strategies that she was teaching. It made the information very easy to understand as well as interesting." S.D. (Oct. 2023)

"This course had a plethora of resources! It was a great crash course on the most useful Ross Green strategies and the strategies from Adele Faber's book. It offered a lot of information that I will have as a resource and can refer to if I have a child who needs these strategies." N.G. (Jul. 2023)

"This course gave great information and examples to implement in therapy sessions and everyday life." D.M. (Mar. 2023)

"Understanding the way I can approach the child and improve my listening skills - understanding what need is not being met. I liked the reasons explained why a child may be defiant and the examples of what you can do to intervene." M.E. (Mar. 2023)

"It was all really good information that will apply to a variety of my clients. Learning to use empathy to turn the situation around." A.P. (Mar. 2023)

"I liked the different types of praise and the specific examples." M.H. (Feb. 2023)

"Strategies and great examples of more positive phrases. I liked the strategy: catching a child being appropriate. And repetition and varied examples." M.B. (Feb. 2023)

"I liked the details/examples." D.M. (Feb. 2023)

"Lots of practical and useful information that I can use right away. Learning how to talk to students in a more specific and positive way." M.P. (Dec. 2022)

"Practical strategies for managing behaviors in therapy. I liked the use of videos, case studies, and examples." K.F. (Dec. 2022)

"The strategies of how to listen to my client's feelings and needs were helpful. Course provided many great suggestions that are easy to implement immediately in the therapy setting." A.C. (Dec. 2022)

"Practical therapy techniques. I liked the examples of therapy in the school setting." A.R. (Dec. 2022)

"Good strategies for preventing difficult behavior." K.P. (Dec. 2022)

"I enjoyed the different examples that happen on a day-to-day basis and how to respond appropriately. The topic I found most beneficial was how to give praise appropriately and different ways to respond using empathy." M.C. (Nov. 2022)

"Understanding the causes for defiant behaviors. Learning approaches on how to deal with these behaviors when they occur." M.M. (Nov. 2022)

"Realistic recommendations." S.D. (Nov. 2022)

"I found the examples and scripts for how to reply to a student to be helpful, in particular the wishes and fantasies, and how to respond to things that we empathize with but are not possible." E.C. (Nov. 2022)

"I liked the resources to social stories and the mindfulness information. And learning to use empathy to deescalate behaviors and the specific language (words) to use in difficult situations." K.T. (Nov. 2022)

"It was a good review of basic strategies to help clients who are uncooperative. Course was well organized." K.H. (Nov. 2022)

"Understanding how children's brains work and how to implement education to parents/caregivers regarding the child's feelings and behaviors. I liked the examples provided and short videos." R.M. (Nov. 2022)

"One discussion I found beneficial was phrases for recognizing behavior without using praise (Good Job!). It was a lot of good information for managing difficult behaviors that apply to therapy but also are great reminders as a parent." R.M. (Oct. 2022)

"The personal examples and short videos from other specialists were good." S.D. (Oct. 2022)

"I really appreciated the direct examples given by the presenter on how to give empathy statements. The examples given were excellent, practical, and easy to implement. I can definitely see myself using many of these examples in my future practice as well as in my personal life." A.L. (Oct. 2022)

"I liked the parts about empathy when dealing with defiant children. I also liked the videos that showed areas that were being discussed. Made it more interesting and relatable." B.M. (Oct. 2022)

"Very functional advice for clinicians and parents. Practical applications for preschoolers through high school age children." A.D. (Oct. 2022)

"The discussion about the practical strategies to alleviate defiant behavior was beneficial for my daily practice." I.B. (Oct. 2022)

"So much information, so concisely presented." M.F. (Oct. 2022)

"Good examples to help problem solve." A.R. (Sept. 2022)

"I liked the breathing techniques." J.B. (Sept. 2022)

"Great strategies for managing difficult behavior." A.D. (Sept. 2022)

"Good course – practical examples." B.E. (July 2022)

"The 'in-the-moment' info was most helpful. The course was very accessible." T.H. (June 2022)

"The presentation of specific strategies for dealing with defiant behavior was helpful. I liked the specific examples given to facilitate communication with children in therapy." L.M. (May 2022)

"So many good examples. I liked discussion on how not to deny the feelings of my clients." C.L. (Apr. 2022)

"I deal with these behaviors very frequently and it is good to have this knowledge reinforced. I liked the idea/reality that children who behave negatively or in opposition do so because of other underlying causes/feelings." K.L. (Feb. 2022)

"It confirmed actions and words I already use and gave evidential support, and it provided a variety of other options for dealing with defiant children." K.L. (Feb. 2022)

"The course was very informative. I see many students with such behaviors – understanding students' behaviors, their defiant codes, and how to interpret those codes was beneficial." M.A. (Feb. 2022)

"I liked the information about delivering experiential praise instead of evaluative praise." D.P. (Jan. 2022)

"It was very practical for professionals and provided ideas of how to support our parents too." C.A. (Jan. 2022)

"I liked all of the examples and words to use with children who are being defiant or uncooperative. It was also helpful to learn that children can have trouble shifting cognitive sets and that is why transitions are hard. As well as, learning that children are not "out to get you" or trying to manipulate you, but rather, the demands placed on them might be too much. I like the idea of reflecting back their feelings, and I learned concrete ways of empathizing. This course was very helpful, and I learned a lot. Thank you for making it available." A.C. (Jan. 2022)

Course Objectives

At course conclusion, participants will be able to:
  1. Identify various forms of defiant or challenging behavior.
  2. List reasons why children might engage in defiant behavior.
  3. Describe how executive function skill deficits can lead to challenging behavior.
  4. Describe five situations that can serve as triggers for defiant behavior.
  5. Identify strategies clinicians and parents can use to manage difficult behavior.
  6. Identify interventions that can be used to help manage executive function deficits.
  7. List ways clinicians and parents can avoid and defuse power struggles.
  8. Identify strategies for freeing children from their defiant roles.

Northern Speech Services is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. PD activity approval ID#32218. This DL-Independent activity is offered at 0.35 CEUs, Intermediate, 1. Domain of OT: Performance Skills: Emotional Regulation Skills, Cognitive Skills, Communication and Social Skills 2. OT Process: Intervention; Implementation of Intervention. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.

Presenter & Disclosures

Adina Soclof, MS, CCC-SLP

Adina Soclof, MS, CCC-SLP, is a Parent Educator, Professional Development Instructor and Speech-Language Pathologist working with children in a school setting. She received her B.A. in history from Queens College and her M.S. in communication sciences from Hunter College. Adina is the founder of ParentingSimply.com. She delivers parenting classes as well as professional development workshops for Speech-Language Pathologists, teachers and other health professionals. Adina is available for speaking engagements. You can reach her at asoclof@parentingsimply.com or check out her website at www.parentingsimply.com.

Speaker Disclosures:

Financial — Adina Soclof is the presenter of online CE courses sponsored by Northern Speech Services; receives royalties.

Nonfinancial — Adina Soclof has no relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

Intended Audience / Accreditation

Intended Audience/Accreditation
asha ce approved provider

This program is offered for 0.35 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate Level; Professional Area).

Intended Audience

  • Speech-Language Pathologists
  • Educ/Teach
  • OT
  • SLPA

ASHA CEUs: NSS online courses are registered with ASHA and are offered for ASHA CEUs. The number of ASHA CEUs is noted above. Note that 0.1 ASHA CEU = 1 contact hour = equals 1 CEE.

ASHA CE Registry: During the enrollment process, if you select to receive ASHA credit for this course and if you provide your ASHA number, NSS will automatically submit your CEU information to the ASHA CE Registry after successful course completion (80% on post test). This submission happens once per month, during the first week of the month. For example, if you complete your course on November 7th, NSS will submit all November online course CEUs to ASHA during the first week of December. When ASHA inputs the information into their database, they will mark the course as completed on the last day of the month in which it was completed, so November 30th using this example. The certificate of completion available for you to print immediately, however, will reflect the actual completion date, November 7th in this example. Due to ASHA processing procedures please allow 2-3 weeks, from the submission date, for the course to appear on your ASHA transcript.

ASHA CEUs: Attendees must meet at least one of the following conditions in order to be eligible to earn ASHA CEUs:

  • Current ASHA Member
  • ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) Holder
  • Licensed by a state or provincial regulatory agency to practice speech-language pathology (SLP) or audiology
  • Credentialed by a state regulatory agency to practice SLP or audiology
  • Credentialed by a national regulatory agency to practice SLP or audiology
  • Engaged in a Clinical Fellowship under the supervision of an individual with their ASHA CCC
  • Currently enrolled in a master's or doctoral program in SLP or audiology

If an attendee is not an ASHA member or CCC holder but meets any of the above criteria, they may inform the ASHA CE Registry of their eligibility by visiting this site.

Licensing Boards: Most state licensing boards DO accept CEUs earned online (usually classified as home-study credits). Some state boards do, however, place a limit to the number of credits that can be earned via home study/online courses. For the most current information, we suggest that you contact your licensing board or agency to verify acceptance policies and/or any credit limits related to home-study courses prior to registering for this course.

Additional accrediting agencies by which Northern Speech is an approved CE provider:

  • California: NSS is approved as a provider of continuing education by the California Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology Board. Provider #PDP4. Online CEU limits may apply; please contact SLPAHADB for current online CEU acceptance policies.
  • Iowa: NSS is approved as a provider of continuing education by the Iowa Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology Examiners. Provider #169.
  • Kansas: NSS is approved as a provider of continuing education by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Provider #LTS-S0005.
  • Florida: NSS is approved as a provider of continuing education by the Florida Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board. Provider #SPA-026.
  • New Jersey: NSS is approved as a provider of continuing education by the New Jersey Department of Education. Provider #1654.

Frequently Asked Questions

Online Course FAQ — Click Here

Customer Support: Please phone 888.337.3866 or email info@northernspeech.com.

Course Completion Timeframe:

You have unlimited time to complete our online courses. You may log off and log on as often as you’d like to in order to complete all sections of a course.

However, completion dates are based on Eastern Standard Time. Therefore, if you need your CEUs by a certain date, be sure to complete the course test before 11:59pm EST on that date. For example, if you need CEUs before January 1st, you will need to complete the course test before 11:59pm EST on December 31st.

Content Access:

Access to course materials and content does not expire, even after completing the post test. You may continue to review course material by logging into your NSS account, clicking the My Online Courses tab, and then viewing your desired course.

Certificate of Completion:

On successful completion of the post test (80%), a certificate will be immediately available for download and/or printing. This certificate will include your name, date of completion (based on Eastern Time Zone, USA/Canada), and number of contact hours (CEUs / CEEs). Please note that CEUs are awarded on the date of successful test completion, not the date of course enrollment. Please ensure that you successfully complete the post test prior to any licensure renewal dates.

ASHA CE Registry Submission:

During the enrollment process, if you select to receive ASHA credit for this course and if you provide your ASHA number, NSS will automatically submit your CEU information to the ASHA CE Registry after successful course completion (80% on post test). This submission happens once per month, during the first week of the month. For example, if you complete your course on November 7th, NSS will submit all November online course CEUs to ASHA during the first week of December. When ASHA inputs the information into their database, they will mark the course as completed on the last day of the month in which it was completed, so November 30th using this example. The certificate of completion available for you to print immediately, however, will reflect the actual completion date, November 7th in this example. Due to ASHA processing procedures please allow 2-3 weeks, from the submission date, for the course to appear on your ASHA transcript.

Purchase Orders:

Purchase orders are currently not accepted for online orders, if you wish to submit a purchase order please do so at info@northernspeech.com or fax to 888-696-9655.

What is an Online Course?

Our Online Courses consist of video, audio, and/or text content and are offered for ASHA CEUs. Unlike a webinar, which requires participants to be logged on and at a computer at specific times, our Online Courses are available to you at any time, from any device, via your NorthernSpeech.com online account. You may work at your own pace and start and stop your course as you wish. Your course will conclude with a short post test. On successful completion of the post test (>80%), a printable certificate of completion is presented to you.

Receiving CEUs:

Northern Speech is an ASHA CE Provider and our online courses are registered with ASHA and offered for ASHA CEUs. Please note that successful completion of the online post test is required prior to the awarding of CEUs. Please contact your state licensing board for acceptance policies related to CEUs earned online. Please note that courses offered for university students are not applicable for CEUs.

Registering for an online course:

You may browse all online courses by clicking the Continuing Education tab above, then Online Courses. Once you find a course, click Enroll Now, and you will be asked to either log into your existing Northern Speech account or create a new online account. Once you’ve entered your account information and provided your credit card payment, your course will be immediately available to you.

Accessing your purchased course or returning to a purchased course:

You will be able to access your online course by logging into your Northern Speech account and then clicking the My Online Courses tab on your profile screen. Click the course you would like to start or to resume. From there, proceed through the course sections until you are ready to complete the post test. You do not have to complete your course all at once. You may log on and off as you wish.

Testing requirements:

Each online course concludes with a post test consisting of multiple choice or true & false questions. Scores of 80% or greater are required for successful course completion and awarding of CEUs. You may revisit course materials and retest as needed to achieve a passing score.

Number of CEUs offered:

We offer courses from 1 to 21 contact hours. Each course will note the number of CEUs offered. Please note that 0.1 CEU = 1 contact hour = 1 CEE.

State licensing boards and online CEUs:

NSS is an ASHA CE Provider and most state licensing boards DO accept ASHA CEUs earned online (usually classified as home-study credits). Some boards do, however, place a limit to the number of CEUs that can be earned via home study/online courses. For the most current information, we suggest that you contact your licensing board or agency to verify acceptance policies and/or any CEU limits related to home-study courses prior to enrolling in an online course.

Course formats:

Our course formats include: text, audio, video, and PowerPoint with author narration. Each course will note the format on the course description page. Most courses include closed captioning.

Course handouts:

Most of our online courses provide a link to download the accompanying handout as a PDF file. 

Group discounts:

Groups of 3 or more are eligible for a 20% discount on each registration on most of our online courses. To receive this discount, registrations need to be processed together via the "Group Rates" tab on the Online Course of your choice.

Computer requirements:

For our online courses to function best, we recommend that you update your computer to include the newest version of your Internet browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Internet Explorer, etc.) and newest version of your computer's operating system. Also a high-speed Internet connection is recommended (cable or DSL). Speakers or headphones will be required for many of our courses as many contain audio components.

Course Cancellation Policy:

A purchased online course can be exchanged, refunded, or transferred to another individual if contact is made with NSS (via phone or email) within 30 days of purchase and the course materials have not been viewed or downloaded. 

Special Needs:

Please click here for any special needs requests, and we will do our best to accommodate them. 

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