ABSTRACT
The conceptual foundations of the development, prevention, and treatment of emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) are discussed from an interdisciplinary dynamic systems perspective. Core aspects of this framework are that: multiple factors within (e.g., biological, cognitive, psychological) and external (e.g., family, peer group, school, community) to the individual contribute to her or his emotional and behavioral functioning; behavior serves as a leading-edge to link internal and external factors; and adaptation involves the alignment of various factors within the system to each other as they collectively contribute to individual functioning. The concepts of developmental cascades and correlated constraints are presented as complementary perspectives in the prevention and treatment of EBD and it is suggested that natural developmental processes during day-to-day and moment-to-moment activities of children should be used as an ally in the development, delivery, and adaptation of interventions. Accordingly, tiered-systems of adaptive support are presented as an intervention framework to tailor strategies for children and youth with or at risk of EBD in ways that are developmentally meaningful and that promote their positive adaptation and long-term outcomes.
