A pediatric behavioral specialist diagnosed Elijah with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and prescribed medication, but Jim and Gabrielle Carter didn’t want their 3-year-old taking drugs.

When a psychologist referred the family to a mental health program for disruptive preschoolers in Washington County, they jumped at the chance to participate. The Early Childhood Behavior Assistance program, run by Human Services Inc., changed their lives, the couple says…

Almost a year later, the Carters say there has been marked change in their parenting styles and in Elijah’s behavior. Discipline is administered calmly and consistently. TV time is limited to 3 to 5 p.m., and bedtime is at 8 p.m. sharp…

The program serves children 5 and younger who have been identified as having problems such as general hyperactivity, lack of focus, aggression, mood instability, mental health disorders and autism…

“Too many times, parents and providers may perceive the child as purposefully being ‘bad’ and may not understand the reasoning behind the behavior,” Bishop said. “As a consequence, they don’t effectively intervene.” …

“If they can’t get along in preschool, how are they going to survive in kindergarten or first grade? How are they going to learn anything?” she said. “They have to learn how to behave first. I just feel that if it is caught early, those children will survive in the world much better.”

Source: TwinCities.com
http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_5564411?nclick_check=1