Behavioral treatment of child abuse. A developmental perspective.

Bailey et al. (1990) wrote a narrative review. They looked at how to treat parents who had abused their children. They argued that the training must fit the child’s age. Babies need soothing skills. Teens need monitoring skills.

The paper pulled together earlier work. It pointed out gaps. It asked for more research on age-matched programs.

The review did not give new data. It said one-size-fits-all parent training is not enough. Programs must teach different skills at each stage of growth.

Putnam et al. (2003) extends the idea. They showed that even toddlers can finish a full functional analysis. They used toys and short sessions. The study proves age-friendly formats work.

Neef et al. (1986) also extends the call. They trained mothers with learning delays. The moms learned to play and talk more with their babies. Skills lasted almost a year.

Burgess et al. (1986) did the same for first-time fathers. A short BST package taught diapering, feeding, and play. Skills moved to real babies at home.

Attwood et al. (1988) looks like a contradiction. That review said behavior therapy for child anxiety still lacks proof. T et al. said the same about abuse programs. Both papers beg for stronger tests. The gap is topic, not method.

You already pick goals that fit the child’s age. This paper tells you to do the same for abusive parents. Teach soothing to parents of babies. Teach homework tracking to parents of teens. Use the same BST steps you use with kids: show, practice, praise. Check that skills move to the home. Keep data. Share the chart with the family.