behavioral health aspects of youth fire intervention health aspects of yfpi.pdfmn youth set fires....

Behavioral Health Aspects of Youth Fire Intervention

Kathi OsmonsonYFPI Subject Matter Expert

Forensic Behavioral Helath M.A.Coon Rapids, MN

Oregon Fire Prevention Workshop

February 6, 2020

Overview

• Youth Firesetting Prevalence

• Common Behavioral Disorders

• Symptoms of the Disorders

• Intervention Tips for Working with Affected Families

2

Age as a Factor and Playing with Hear Source

189

219

152

118

192

228

255

226

169158

223

191

157

199

161147

127

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

MN Youth Set Fires

Fires vs Juvenile Arson Arrests

189

219

152

118

192

228

255

226

169158

223

191

157

199

161147

127

153170 163

143

174

69

98114

69

91 97

4224

4332 34 17

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

MN Youth Set Fires vs Arrests

National Data

NFIRS Report MN?

337, 75%

68, 15%

30, 7%

15, 3%

yes

no

unknown

no response

2016 – 2019 Ages

29 4 28 59

100

214181

244

304330

350

398 399 398

279

151

110

148

Gender

84% Male 16% Female

Race

40

47

584

15

1899

184

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000

AMERICAN INDIAN/ALASKA NATIVE

ASIAN

BLACK/AFRICAN AMERICAN

NATIVE HAWAIIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER

WHITE/CAUCASIAN

TWO OR MORE RACES

Family Type

124

992

25

121

64

39

1

256

946

229

47

6

283

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200

ADOPTIVE

BIOLOGICAL PARENTS

CUSTODY OF STATE

FATHER ONLY

FATHER WITH PARTNER

FOSTER FAMILY

LIVE WITH FRIEND

GRAND PARENTS

MOTHER ONLY

MOTHER WITH PARTNER

OTHER FEMALE RELATIVE

OTHER MALE RELATIVE

STEP FAMILY

Time of Day

152

955899

414

148

Morning Mid Day Late Day Evening Night

Day of Week

449477

401 416439

387 376

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Month of Year

240

203

266

326

292

259 256

227

193216 210

182

Ignition Device

38

35

66

107

16

2029

214

60

393

11

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500

CANDLES

CIGARETTE/CIGAR/SMOKING ITEM

COOKING APPLIANCE

FIREWORKS

HEATING APPLIANCE

LIGHTER - DISPOSABLE

LIGHTER - MULTI-PURPOSE

LIGHTER - NOVELTY

MATCHES

ROAD FLARE/FUSE

Device Obtained By

511

237

258

1633

78

120

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800

FOUND OUTSIDE OF HOME

FROM HOME OTHER THAN YOUTH'S

GIVEN TO YOUTH BY OTHER PERSON

HOME OF YOUTH

PURCHASED

STOLEN

Typologies

Non-Pathological:

•Curiosity

•Accidental

Pathological:

•Cry-for-help

•Delinquent

•Severely disturbed

•Cognitively impaired

•Sociocultural

Curiosity

• With understanding • Without understanding

Unintentional vs Intentional

• Unintentional youth firesetting is often a result of fire experimentation with no understanding of any consequences

• Intentional youth firesetting includes, but is not limited to, carrying out a dare from peers, seeking attention, or retribution for a past event

Common Myths

• It’s a phase kids go through

• It was a small fire, no big deal

• They learned their lesson

• Talking to a firefighter will fix it

None of these address knowledge, behaviors, and caregiver actions

Social Media Use

1997

1724

5

Yes No Unknown

The Adolescent Brain

Google Search

• ADHD-87,000,000

• Conduct Disorder (CD)-77,000,000

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)-46,000,000

• Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)-4,000,000

• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)-3,000,000

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)-2,000,000

• Youth Firesetting- 100,000

Diagnosis?

1788

1109

829

Yes No Unknown

Top 10 Disorders

0 50 100 150 200 250

Substance Abuse

Conduct Disorder

BiPolar

Intellectual Disability

Post Traumatic Stress

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Depression

Anxiety disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

• Inability to think ahead

• Frequent interrupting

• Impulsive

• Fidgeting

• Trouble processing steps

• Random topic shifts

• Easily distracted

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (cont’d)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (cont’d)

• Tips

• Fidget toy

• Get up and moving

• Walk and talk

• Interesting visuals

• Short discussions

• Check comprehension

Anxiety

• Constant worry

• Negativity

• Anger

• Tantrums

• Avoidance

• Perfectionism

• Physical ailments

Anxiety (cont’d)

Anxiety (cont’d)

• Tips

• Work through scenarios

• Avoid worst case scenarios

• Stay positive

• Clear answers

Depression

• Disruptive mood disorder

• Major depressive disorder

• Persistent depressive disorder

• A real illness

• Feelings of guilt and worthlessness

Depression (cont’d)

Depression (cont’d)

• Tips

• Positive reinforcement

• No guilt

• Supportive

• Reality not worst case

Autism Spectrum Disorder (cont’d)

• Rigidness

• Obsessional interests

• Poor communication skills

• Impulsivity

• Unpredictability

• Suggestibility

• Sensitive to sensory experiences

• Dislike physical contact initiated by others

Autism Spectrum Disorder (cont’d)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (cont’d)

• Tips:• Specific rules and

expectations• Understand

rather than repeat

• Do not demand eye contact

• Pictures and props

• Parents can help

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

• Control

• Neatness

• Body Dysmorphic Disorder

• Hoarding Disorder

• Trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (cont’d)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (cont’d)

• Tips:• Be organized

• Set expectations early

• Stick to schedule

• Give them some control

• Choices

Post Traumatic Stress

• Exposure to death

• Directly experiencing traumatic events

• Witnessing traumatic events

• Intrusive memories or dreams

• Reaction to internal or external cues

Post Traumatic Stress (cont’d)

Post Traumatic Stress (cont’d)

• Tips:• Similar to anxiety

and depression

• Avoid triggers

• Co-occurring disorders

• Stay positive

Intellectual Disability (cont’d)

• Adaptive functioning deficits:• Daily living skills

• Communication

• Social responsibility and participation

• Academic limitations

• Occupational functioning

Intellectual Disability (cont’d)

Intellectual Disability (cont’d)

• Tips:• Repetition is

always good

• Be patient

• Check for understanding

• Hands on learning

Bipolar Disorder

• Manic

• Restlessness

• Rapid Speech

• High activity

• Depressive

• Loss of interest

• Withdrawn

• Trouble concentrating

Bipolar Disorder (cont’d)

Bipolar (cont’d)

• Tips

• Caution

• Alternative behavior management

• No guilt

• Focus on impulse control

Conduct Disorder

• Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)

• Intermittent explosive disorder (IED)

• Childhood diagnosis

• Antisocial personality disorder as adults

Conduct Disorder (cont’d)

• Aggressive

• Lying, stealing, blaming

• Disrespect authority

• Argumentative

• Hostile

• Refuse to follow rules

Conduct Disorder (cont’d)

Conduct Disorder (cont’d)

• Tips:• Not personal

• Stay calm

• Expect push back

• Avoid power struggle

• One on one

• Give them some control

• Structure

• Clear expectations

Substance Use Disorder

• Alcohol

• Tobacco

• Marijuanna

• Inhalents

• Hallucinogens

• Cocaine

• Opiods

• Perscription drugs

• Technology…

Substance Use Disorder (cont’d)

• Stress relief

• Self medication

• Social experience

• Risk taking

• Impulse control

• Lack of supervision

• Parental attitudes

Cell Phone Addiction?

Substance Use Disorder (cont’d)

• Tips• Neutral space

• Parental participation

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

• Permanent/Irreversible brain damage

• Worldwide problem

• Hidden epidemic

• Underreported/Commonly misdiagnosed

• North America, 2-5%

• Impacts the criminal justice system

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) cont’d

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) cont’d

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) cont’d

• Red Flags:• Special Education Involvement/Learning Problems

• Child Protection Involvement

• History of Adoption/Removal from Birth Parents

• Rage Control/Impulse Control Problems

• Sexually Inappropriate Behaviors

• Social Boundary Limitations/Violations

• Memory Problems/Confabulation

• Suggestibility/Inability to Say No

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) cont’d

• Tips for Interventions:

• Use the same language as written rules

• Concrete consepts

• Demonstrate when possible

• Be clear about cause and effect

• Do not debate ~ they may be looking for loopholes

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) cont’d

• 1.7 new cases annually

• 2% live with a TBI

• Loss of consciousness

• Amnesia

• Disorientation

• Permanent brain damage

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

• Tips:• Clear language

• Keep instructions brief

• Clear sequence

• Visual learners

• Repetition

• Link information to previous knowledge

Intervention Ideas

• Cup of Stress

• Dice Exercise

• MN Go Bag

• Other ideas?

Questions?

• Kathi Osmonson

• 612-670-6585

• Kathi.Osmonson@rocks

Thank You…67