Resources for Clinicians
Last updated October 2021
Treatment Resources
Rating Scales
- ARI - Affective Reactivity Index
- Emotion Outburst Inventory (EMO-I) - The Emotional Outburst Inventory (EMO-I) is a brief screening tool for irritability and severe emotional outbursts in youth.
- R-MOAS -Retrospective Modified Overt Aggression Scale - scale of severity of aggressive behavior on a weekly basis; has been used as an outcome measure for aggression treatment studies.
For Research
- ABC - irritability; irritability subscale from the Aberrant Behavior Checklist; aimed at developmentally disabled kids; has been used as an outcome measure for irritability in autism
- NCBRF - Nisonger Child Behavior Rating – a conduct or aggression item form, derived from the CBCL-has been used as an outcome measure for aggression treatment studies
For Rating Scales for other diagnoses, please visit the AACAP Toolbox for Clinical Practice and Outcomes.
(back to top)
Research and Training
AACAP Resources
Clinical Essentials on Emotion Dysregulation
This course, created by a team of child and adolescent psychiatrists with educational and content expertise, was designed for busy physicians looking to update and expand their knowledge on the most clinically relevant information on emotional dysregulation.
Course highlights include:
- Highly rated videos and lectures from past AACAP activities
- Flexibility to complete the course at your own pace
- Up to 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
Articles
-
Barzman DH, Brackenbury L, Sonnier L, et al. Brief Rating of Aggression by Children and Adolescents (BRACHA): Development of a Tool for Assessing Risk of Inpatients’ Aggressive Behavior. J Am Acad Psychiatry Law 39:170–9, 2011.
- Barzman D, Mossman D, Sonnier L, Sorter M. Brief Rating of Aggression by Children and Adolescents (BRACHA): A Reliability Study. J Am Acad Psychiatry Law 40:374–82, 2012.
- Findling RL, Townsend L, Brown NV, et al. The Treatment of Severe Childhood Aggression Study: 12 Weeks of Extended, Blinded Treatment in Clinical Responders. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology 2017;27:52-65. DOI: 10.1089/cap.2016.0081
- Young AS, Youngstrom EA, Findling RL, et al. Developing and Validating a Definition of Impulsive/Reactive Aggression in Youth. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology. 49:6, 787-803.
- Keeshin, BR,Bryant B, & Gargaro, E. (2020) Emotional Dysregulation: A trauma-informed approach. Child Adolesc Psychiatric Clin N Am.
- Villalta L, Smith P, Hickin N, & Stringaris A. (2018) Emotion regulation difficulties in traumatized youth: a metal-analysis and conceptual review. European Child & Adol Psychiatry 27:527-544.
- Bostic JQ, Mattison R, Cunningham D (2021). Explosive Outbursts at School. Child Adol Clin N Am.
- Fabiano GA, Pelham WE, Waschbusch DA (2006). A practical measure of impairment: Psychometric properties of the impairment rating scale in samples of children with ADHD and two school0based samples. J Clin Child and Adol Psychol 35: 369-385.
- Powell NP, Boxmeyer CL, Baden R et al (2011). Assessing and treating aggression and conduct problems in schools: Implications from the Coping Power Program. Psychol in Schools 48:233-242; DOI: 10.1002/pits.
- Gerson et al, Pediatric BETA Guidelines for Management of Acute Agitation in Children and Adolescents in the Emergency Department: Consensus Statement of the American Association for Emergency Psychiatry Pediatric Agitation Workgroup. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2019Mar;20(2):409-418.
- Richmond et al, Verbal De-escalation of the Agitated Patient: Consensus Statement of the American Association for Emergency Psychiatry Project BETA De-escalation Workgroup. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine 2012.
- King et al, Psychiatric Assessment of Severe Presentations in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Intellectual Disability. Child Psychiatric Clinics of N America 2014, 23:1-14.
- McGonigle et al, Management of Agitation in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Emergency Department. Child Psychiatric Clinics of N America 2014, 23:81-95.
- Towbin et al, A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Citalopram Adjunctive to Stimulant Medication in Youth With Chronic Severe Irritability. JAACAP 2020, 59(3).
- Aman et al, What Does Risperidone Add to Parent Training and Stimulant for Severe Aggression in Child Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder? JAACAP 2013, 53(1).
- Gadow et al, Risperidone Added to Parent Training and Stimulant Medication: Effects on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, and PeerAggression. JAACAP 2014, 53(9).
- Carlson, G. A., Chua, J., Pan, K., Hasan, T., Bied, A., Martin, A., & Klein, D. N. (2020). Behavior modification is associated with reduced psychotropic medication use in children with aggression in inpatient treatment: A retrospective cohort study. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 59(5), 632-641.
- Greene, R. W., Ablon, J. S., & Martin, A. (2006). Use of collaborative problem solving to reduce seclusion and restraint in child and adolescent inpatient units. Psychiatric Services, 57(5), 610-612.
- Azeem, M. W., Aujla, A., Rammerth, M., Binsfeld, G., & Jones, R. B. (2011). Effectiveness of six core strategies based on trauma informed care in reducing seclusions and restraints at a child and adolescent psychiatric hospital. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 24(1), 11-15.
(back to top)
Videos
2019 AACAP Annual Meeting Presidential Address - AACAP President, Gabrielle A. Carlson, MD.
SCREENSIDE Chats Episode 34 - The Problem With Outbursts
Angry Outbursts in Young Children
Rethinking Challenging Kids-Where There's a Skill There's a Way
When Anxious Children Become Anxious Adolescents
(back to top)
Books
(back to top)
Apps
These apps can be helpful tools for people with emotion dysregulation. They should be used alongside comprehensive assessment and treatment from a trained mental health professional.
Taming Tantrums
"Taming Tantrums" App - a collection of phrases to reduce tears and tantrums and increase cooperation in young children.
Grump Meter
The Grump Meter helps kids and adults recognize and name their emotions, prevent “losing their heads on red", and achieve calmer, more peaceful, and empathic interactions.
RegnaTales
RegnaTales, a series of 6 mobile apps, was created in response to the above advantages of using mobile technology and serious games to increase access to treatment and enhance the motivation of children to learn skills.
T2 Mood Tracker
Mood Tracker allows users to monitor their moods on six pre-loaded scales (anxiety, stress, depression, brain injury, post-traumatic stress, general well-being). Custom scales can also be built.
(back to top)
Facts for Families
AACAP's Facts for Families provides concise up-to-date information on issues that affect children, teenagers, and their families.
(back to top)
(back to top)