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The Explosive Child: A new approach for understanding and parenting easily frustrated, “chronically inflexible” children.
By Ross W. Greene, Ph.D, New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1998, 330 pages, $24.00.
Ross Greene, a child psychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, presents explanations and strategies for living, raising and interacting with explosive children. Using real-life examples supported by recent advances in neuroscience, Greene describes the children he considers to be “inflexible-explosive” and provides strategies and interventions that can be used by both caregivers and professionals.
Prominent characteristics of Greene’s “explosive” child include striking inflexibility and low frustration-tolerance which impair the child’s daily activities in life. In other words, these kids are unable to shift gears or think clearly in the midst of frustration. They respond with verbal or physical aggression or temper tantrums. Most of these “inflexible-explosive” children also have a variety of diagnoses such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, and/or learning disabilities.
Often thought of as spoiled, stubborn and manipulative children, Greene argues that these kids possess good qualities and great potential; they are merely misunderstood. Parents and caregivers must come to the realization that “inflexible-explosive children often require different disciplinary practices.”(p. 7) The typical behavior modification approach, such as punishment and reward systems, only bring about an explosion and do not present themselves as a learning opportunity. An important point Greene makes is that these kids do not choose to be explosive and non-compliant. According to him, they are “delayed in the process of developing the skills that are critical to being flexible and tolerating frustration.”(p. 12). Throughout the book, Greene gives strategies and interventions geared toward teaching the child, and parent, the art of flexibility and how to acknowledge the “gray” in many situations.
Greene begins by describing and identifying an “explosive” child. He then helps the reader to recognize and anticipate a potential “explosive” situation by breaking down into individual elements the escalation of the explosion. Now the parent has the knowledge to recognize the beginnings of an explosion and where he/she can possibly intervene. It is good to remember to approach the child’s difficulties proactively rather than reactively. (p. 25) Greene devotes chapter three to explaining the correlation between your child’s diagnosis and his/her “inflexible-explosive” behavior.
Next, the reader will learn how to create an environment in which explosions are reduced and learning can occur. Greene calls this a “user-friendlier environment”. (p. 103) The goal is to have an arena in which the parent and child can work together in order to overcome the child’s difficulties. By conveying your understanding of his inability to be flexible, you help the child stop, think and discuss. (p. 104) This chapter goes on to pinpoint many more actions a parent can take to provide a “user-friendlier environment”.
Greene will focus on problem-solving and ways in which caregivers can help the child develop skills towards flexibility. He uses an approach he calls “Baskets”. This approach will help reduce the frequency of the child’s outbursts. Briefly, there are three baskets: Basket A, Basket B and Basket C. Basket A consists of behaviors that are important enough to endure an explosion over; the non-negotiable behaviors that are usually classified as unsafe in nature. In Basket B are behaviors that are important but negotiable. Behaviors within this basket are open to compromise and provide the parent with a teaching opportunity. And Basket C contains behaviors that do not need to be addressed. They are trivial.
Greene’s strengths as an author are prominent in his ability to address his audience without medical jargon. He writes in a casual manner that may resemble a conversation with a friend or family member. The book is easy to read and comprehend. This writing style lends itself to the conveyance of compassion, understanding, and support greatly desired and needed by the targeted audience- frustrated parents at their wit’s end. Greene provides simple explanations for his suggestions and applies each suggestion to real-life situations. He repeats important points by integrating them into every chapter, every intervention and every example.
The theories, techniques and strategies found in this book can be used at all levels of treatment. For example, within a residential setting, these techniques were implemented in the treatment of a boy named Billy. This child fit Greene’s definition of “inflexible-explosive” like a glove. Billy came into residential treatment with a potpourri of diagnoses, seven to be exact, and was on an equally overwhelming medication schedule. At the age of nine, Billy was functioning socially as a two year old. Every day was an exhausting battle between his agenda and the goals of his staff. Billy was not taking to treatment or stabilizing.
After attending a seminar devoted to Greene’s book, the treatment staff began implementing the “Basket” technique as well as providing Billy with one-on-one guidance. These strategies slowly began to cultivate an environment in which Billy could negotiate and learn. Specifically, staff broke down the day into tiny, individual routines and reduced external stimuli. They made an effort to be more vigilant of potential power-struggles, which in turn offered opportunities to compromise with and teach Billy the gray areas to many interactions. Staff and Billy learned each other’s limits.
No immediate miracle is to be had from Greene’s theory. But with time and effort, strides will be made towards the child’s abilities to be flexible, tolerant and understanding. With the treatment team’s patience and hard work, Billy has taken steps towards stabilization and can now utilize de-escalation and self-soothing skills to ease himself through transitions or potential tantrums.
This book has the potential to be a helpful addendum to parents of children in therapy. More often than not, the kids described in Greene’s book have been placed in treatment by parents, caregivers or teachers. However, treating the child without offering the parents constructive criticism, strategies, interventions or support can impede the child’s progress. Take into consideration Dr. Greene’s The Explosive Child as a resource for parents and caregivers. It may restore sanity, optimism and a sense of control to parents who feel hopeless and overwhelmed. This book will address new, alternative strategies for interactions and interventions, helping parents understand their child.