Advises parents on how to handle children who exhibits intense temper outbursts, sudden mood swings, extreme noncompliance, and verbal and physical aggression, behaviors that stem from brain-based deficits in two critical developmental skills: flexibility and frustration tolerance. THese children may be diagnosed with any of various psychiatric disorders, including oppositional-defiant disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, and Tourette's disorder . The author explains how to anticipate and defuse the behaviors by teaching the child the skills necessary to handle frustration adaptively to become more flexible, socially and emotionally.

The waffle episode -- Children do well if they can -- Lagging skills and unsolved problems -- Drama in real life -- The truth about consequences -- Three plans (one in particular) -- Trouble in paradise -- B scenes -- Extra help -- Family matters -- The dinosaur in the building -- Better.