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Weighing the Evidence

Vol 19, No 2 (2010)

Much discussion of "Evidence Based Treatment" is little more than economic or political jockeying for a position of uperiority in comparison to other approaches. Such pseudoscience relies mainly on narrow statistical tests of significance that violates the spirit of science. This issue introduces the higher standard of "consilience" where the most powerful truths are those supported be different disciplines. The most sound evidence based principles are supported by research in the natural and social sciences, practice experience, and enduring values.

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Sections

Circle of Courage Newsback to top
Circle of Courage Highlights
RCY Staff
Culture and Developmentback to top
Positive Learning Framework
Tim McDonald
The Positive Learning Framework (PLF) model builds on the theoretical foundations of universal needs as described in the Circle of Courage. PLF offers a positive lens through which one can view students, behaviour, and instruction. This unique model draws on emerging findings in resilience research, restorative practices, and positive youth development.
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The Evidence Base for Positive Peer Culture
Erik K. Laursen
This article explores the evidence base for Positive Peer Culture (PPC) which is a total system for developing positive youth cultures in youth serving organizations. It challenges a popular belief among some researchers that group programs which bring together troubled youth are inherently negative.
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Educational Innovationsback to top
Growing a Circle of Courage Culture: One School's Journey
Deborah Espiner, Diane Guild
Mt. Richmond Special School is the first Circle of Courage school in New Zealand. This is an evaluation of the creation of an authentic learning community in a setting for students with complex emotional and behavioural problems.
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Red Wig Therapy
William C. Morse
Over a half century ago, William C. Morse of the University of Michigan keynoted the first research symposium on the Education of Emotionally Disturbed Children. He shared this powerful story from a talented teacher who balanced science with the inspired zeal to do what she thought was needed to help troubled students.
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Juvenile Justiceback to top
Reforming Our Expectations About Juvenile Justice
Daphne M. Baille, Pamela F. Rodriguez
Typing the term “juvenile justice reform” into a Google™ search will result in 60 pages of entries. But what is meant by juvenile justice reform? What does it look like? How will we know when it is achieved?
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Treatment and Familyback to top
Weighing the Evidence
Larry K. Brendtro, Martin L. Mitchell
A flood of contradictory publications claim widely different methods to be “evidence-based.” What then are the key principles for success with challenging youth? Amidst all the confusion, how do we identify powerful universal truths? The answer lies in a “consilience,” which involves drawing information from multiple fields of knowledge. Consilience combines research from the natural sciences and the social sciences with wisdom from experience and values. The authors propose twenty evidence-based principles meeting this test for truth.
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Medicating Our Youth: Who Determines Rules of Evidence?
Robert Foltz
There is increased use of medications with troubled youth and a corresponding increase in research about these drugs. However, even the most exhaustive efforts to demonstrate the effectiveness of medication strategies have resulted in less than robust outcomes. A critical review of the most prominent studies highlights this questionable trend in the common diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and pediatric bipolar disorder.
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Measuring the Impact of Re-ED
Mark D. Freado
From its origins nearly a half century ago, the Re-ED model has generated a series of research studies evaluating its efficacy. This article provides a historical perspective on the evidence base for this early strength-based model for working with troubled youth.
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Conduct Disorders: Are Boot Camps Effective?
LaVaughn V. Jeter
Youth diagnosed with “conduct disorder” are often placed in programs using forced compliance and coercive control. This article highlights confusion about this diagnosis and the lack of evidence for punitive interventions in popular use.
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Aggression Replacement Training Stands the Test of Time
Mark Amendola, Robert Oliver
Developed by Arnold Goldstein, Aggression Replacement Training® (ART) is a leading psychoeducational approach for working with challenging youth. This article examines underlying evidence-based principles that contribute to success of the ART model.
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The Truth in Their Experience: The Evidence from Youth and Families
Thom Garfat
Relationships are the foundation of all successful helping, and the perspectives of youth and families are crucial and bona-fide sources of evidence. Those who define evidence solely in quantitative terms are clinging to an illusion of reality.
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Voices of Youthback to top
Missing Data: Discovering the Private Logic of Adult-Wary Youth
John Seita
The best expert on a troubled youth is that young person, but often that voice is silenced and hidden behind angry, avoidant, or manipulative behavior. The author is a former troubled youth who is now a university professor who trains professionals to connect with challenging children and youth.
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