A Synthesis of Knowledge Relevant to Pathways of Service Utilization for Young Children with or at Risk of Challenging Behavior
Abstract
The serious impact and consequences of challenging behaviors in young children have become an increasing concern of caregivers. It is now well documented that without intervention the presence of challenging behaviors in young children is associated with unfavorable outcomes in school and later life. Thus it is important to understand and create pathways that identify challenging behaviors early and connect children and families to appropriate services. This paper describes a synthesis of the existing knowledge related to the processes of identification, screening, referral and access to services for young children with challenging behaviors and their families. A variety of data sources (e.g., peer-reviewed journal articles, descriptive documents, data-based evaluations and statistical reports, consensus documents) were examined to extract findings relevant to federal programs and national initiatives. The findings are presented as a description of the existing federal programs and funding streams that provide pathways to services and the associated mandates relating to cross-system convergence, along with the limited empirical data related to their implementation, utilization and effectiveness. Service pathways for identification and referral were found to be fragmented with less than complete implementation of many mandates and largely unaccompanied by utilization and evaluation data. These gaps are described and recommendations are offered to guide an agenda of research for addressing the paucity of systems information for this important group of children.
Citation
Powell, D., Fixsen, D., Dunlap, G., Smith, B., & Fox, L. (2007). A synthesis of knowledge relevant to pathways of service utilization for young children with or at risk of challenging behavior. Journal of Early Intervention, 29, 81-106.