UT’s Korn Learning, Assessment, and Social Skills (KLASS) Center is expanding its services for children with behavioral difficulties.
Consultation sessions are now offered for parents to help them develop and maintain effective strategies to reduce their child’s challenging behaviors while increasing desired behaviors.
“Parents of children who have been diagnosed with various behavioral difficulties including ADHD (attention deficit disorder) and ODD (oppositional defiant disorder) may see the most benefit,” said Brian Wilhoit, director of the KLASS Center and clinical professor in the department of educational psychology and counseling. “But parents whose children are exhibiting challenging behaviors who have no diagnosis can also benefit.”
Problems such as temper tantrums, toilet training issues, refusing to follow parental requests, sibling rivalry, inappropriate bedtime habits, and other difficulties can be addressed by the center’s services. Psychotherapy referrals may be offered for other issues.
“Parents may meet weekly for an hour with a clinician to develop effective strategies to help increase positive behaviors while reducing and eliminating unwanted behaviors,” said Wilhoit.
The cost is $50 per consultation session.
Also this summer, the center will expand its psychoeducational services to include evaluations for dyslexia. This reading disorder can be identified through a comprehensive evaluation.
The center can evaluate elementary-age children through college-age adults for other learning disorders as well. If dyslexia or another reading disorder has been identified, appropriate interventions can be provided.
The cost is $750 per evaluation (more if a parent requests licensed psychologist to perform all testing) and $50 per session for follow-up intervention services, if necessary.
The KLASS Center was established in 2008 through a $2 million gift by Tom and Pam Korn to further research activities and services for individuals who have learning, behavioral, or social skill difficulties. The center is based in UT’s College of Education, Health, and Human Services and works in partnership with the School Psychology program.
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CONTACT:
Brian Wilhoit (865-974-6177, bwilhoit@utk.edu)
Tyra Haag (865-974-5460, tyra.haag@tennessee.edu)