| Abstract: | During the 1979-80 school year, a seven-year-old boy was treated with a Multimodal Behavior Therapy (MMBT) approach to counseling. The primary presenting problem evidenced by this youngster involved a low frequency of on-task behavior. While treatment strategies focused on specific modalities of the BASIC ID, the intervention package was built around three major parameters: (a) an emphasis on intervention in the classroom setting, (b) the use of treatment contracting, and (c) comprehensive assessment of client needs. Despite evidence suggesting that the client's teacher was not reinforcing him for on-task behavior, the youngster's on-task behavior increased from 10.5 minutes out of 30 minutes to the goal level of 20 minutes out of 30 by the end of the four weeks of treatment. At follow-up four months later, the client was engaged in on-task behavior for 17 minutes out of 30, and for 20.7 minutes out of 30 one and one-half years later, Implications for counseling with elementary school children are discussed, based on the three parameters listed above. |
