James W. Marquoit

Few children can control adult emotions more effectively than passive-aggressive youngsters. Their passive lack of compliance can incite even trained professionals to employ ineffective punitive responses. These responses confirm for the child the unreasonable and hurtful nature of adults. In this Life Space Crisis Intervention, the child makes a first step toward development of a therapeutic relationship. Affirmation of the students hidden anger permanently changes the youths perception of adults, and the adults view of the youth. By translating the concepts and insights from the book, Managing Passive-Aggressive Behavior of Children and Youth at School and Home: The Angry Smile (Long & Long, 2001), we now have an effective reclaiming strategy for working with future passive-aggressive students.