Intervention with children who set fires

A technique to interrupt firesetting behavior in children has been described. This technique sequentially correlates events, feelings, and behavior on a line graph. This is done in full view of the patient and his family. The most important function of this procedure is to help the patient become aware of the cause-effect relationship between feelings and behavior. The initial feeling is utilized as a signal that he is at risk to set a fire. This awareness lets him substitute an acceptable behavior. Twenty-nine patients have been treated thus far and only two have set subsequent fires. Follow-up periods varied from six months to eight years with an average duration of two-and-a-half years.