Reaching out to Aggressive Children

Abstract

Jo Carroll worked for several years for the Child and Family Guidance Service, leaving four years ago to work as an independent play therapist and social worker. SUMMARY Social workers are increasingly being asked to offer therapeutic help to young children who are persistently aggressive and defiant. The difficulties of working with such children, who appear to reject all efforts to help them, are recognized, and some guidance is offered as to the timing of such work. Directive techniques often fail, as the children refuse to participate in any joint activity. The value of non-directive play therapy as an approach to these children is outlined, and the practicalities of this technique are considered. Finally, a case study illustrates the value of a non-directive approach with a particularly challenging child. It is widely recognized that children who have experienced abuse or other serious trauma need treatment to help them recover an equilib rium and enjoy the remainder of their childhoods. Locked in their own distress, they need help to unravel their feelings, to make sense of past experiences, and to leave them behind. There is a growing body of social work literature concerned with developing methods to help such children. Doyle (1990) concentrated her attention on working with abused children, while Aldgate and Sim monds (1988) widened their frame of reference to include all emotion ally damaged children. Crompton (1990) concentrates on children in hospital, who may be facing, or recovering from, major surgery. McMa hon (1992) outlines the range of work currently undertaken with dis tressed children: it is encouraging that so much imaginative work is being done. All four books give practical advice to social workers offering help to abused or traumatized children and young people. However, not all traumatized children agree. When offered therapy some dismiss any suggestion that they need help, insisting that there is