What behavioral treatments are used to treat childhood and adult ADHD?
What behavioral treatments are used to treat childhood and adult ADHD?
The best prevention for ADHD, supported by substantial research, is to use a combined approach of both behavioral intervention and pharmacotherapy. Medicines are not enough to treat you or your child’s ADHD. The old adage — pills don’t teach skills — is certainly appropriate here. Thus it’s best to combine medical treatments with behavioral treatments.
Behavioral treatments for childhood ADHD include:
- Behavior modification: With this treatment, your child’s behavior is analyzed, and strategies are designed to increase appropriate behaviors and decrease inappropriate behaviors. One model program for children with ADHD is called the Summer Treatment Program developed by Dr. William Pelham of Florida International University.
- Behavioral parent training: This training helps parents respond to a child’s behaviors in ways that will strengthen growth and development and encourage a positive parent-child relationship. Parent training often occurs at the same time as behavior modification or social skills training for the child. A good parent training program is 1-2-3 Magic by Thomas Phelan.
- Social skills training: This training teaches social skills that will improve the child’s ability to act positively and effectively with peers and adults in school and at home. It also provides a setting to practice the skills in a safe, accepting atmosphere.
- School interventions: A specialist may work with your child’s educational team to conduct a multi-factored evaluation, or MFE, as noted above to create an individualized education plan (IEP), 504 plan or other classroom-based intervention.
- Organizational skills training: This training teaches older children skills to help them improve time management, organizational skills and effectively use executive functions to increase efficiency and work completion at home and school.
Behavioral treatments in adults help you navigate the demand of jobs, relationships and educational opportunities. ADHD coaches are trained and certified to assist adults with ADHD to manage the various difficulties of their lives.
Behavioral treatments for adults with ADHD include:
- Individual cognitive behavioral treatment (“talk therapy”) to enhance a person’s sense of self-efficacy.
- Relaxation training and stress management to reduce anxiety and stress.
- Behavioral coaching to teach strategies for organizing home and work activities.
- Job coaching or mentoring to support better working relationships and improve on-the-job performance.
- Family education and therapy to ensure that everyone in the family understands ADHD and its symptoms.