Child obedience just a click away

New Haven (WTNH) - Dealing with a defiant child can be made easier if you have internet access. That is because the Yale Parenting Center and Child Conduct Clinic are offering their online expert help, and services, to those who need parental guidance or advice.

Christina, from Minnesota, logged on when her six year old son got too much to handle.

"My husband and I were just kinda wondering what other options we had to try and get things before things got too out of hand," she said.

Tracie Bush, a cognitive behavioral therapist, communicates via a web cam.

"It's a lot of coaching, it's a lot of training. So I think it's easier to do our treatment this way," Bush said.

Treatment is based on positive reinforcement and underscored by role playing. It's a program backed up by research - and its director, well-known Child Psychologist Dr. Alan Kazdin, of the Yale Parenting Center and Child Conduct Clinic.

"The most important thing is to have the child practice and engage in the behaviors that you want that child to do, repeatedly, and then to have that behavior praised in a very special way," said Dr. Kazdin.

Dr. Kazdin said the key is practice, practice, practice.

"We actually practice with the child that [if] you're being challenged, [if] you're being pushed, now what do you do? You go to your teacher; you practice [with the child] going to the teacher. What are you going to say? Say this; let's go over this again. Someone pushes you at the drinking fountain, are you going to hit them? It's just going to get you in trouble, so let's practice something else," Dr. Kazdin said.

It's not only the child whose behavior is changed; the parent also undergoes a metamorphosis.

"It was hard on me I guess when he was doing something negative to ignore it. So, that was probably the hardest thing for me," said Christina. "[I've learned to] ignore that negative behavior and praise him and only see the positive things."

Christina said things have since changed.

"Things are a lot more calmer in the house," she said.

The program is also designed for parents with aggressive kids as well as those challenged by everyday parenting.

For more information, click here.