Assessment and Treatment Recommendations: A Paradigm Shift?

This chapter provides recommendations for the assessment and treatment of disorders in young children derived from the findings of the PACT research program. It begins with a brief summary of the results of the multi-domain models of risk factors for ODD, ADHD, depression, and anxiety, as well as the transdiagnostic models, followed by recommendations for a comprehensive assessment based on the PACT study results. The next section provides a rationale for recommending a comprehensive treatment plan that is consistent with the calls from leading psychotherapy researchers to develop more personalized treatments. The remainder of the chapter focuses on suggestions for specific strategies to address factors in contextual, parent, parenting, and child domains identified by the assessment as playing a role in the development and maintenance of a particular child’s problems. Finally, there is a description of how to develop a comprehensive, personalized treatment, followed by a chapter summary.