Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, is a disorder where children demonstrate difficulty maintaining their attention and focus as well as controlling their behavior. Children with ADHD are usually given medication as the first mode of treatment, but the use of psychotherapy in conjunction with medication may prove most beneficial.
Medication
The symptoms of ADHD can be managed with medication in many children. Stimulant medications, which impact neurotransmitters in the brain, can help to minimize symptoms of inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity. The National Resource Center on ADHD reports that between 70 and 80 percent of children see symptom improvement when using stimulants. Some commonly prescribed stimulant medications include Ritalin, Adderall and Dexedrine. A non-stimulant medication, Strattera, has also been found to be helpful in treating ADHD. Antidepressants are also used on occasion to manage hyperactivity and anxiety in children with ADHD.
Behavior Therapy
Behavior therapy helps to teach children how to cope with problems and symptoms more effectively. The National Resource Center on ADHD reports that behavioral treatment should utilize a skilled therapist to teach parents and teachers how to manage and structure a child’s behavior. Important key points include breaking down goals into smaller steps to enable a child to feel successful, and consistently providing structure and rules. Behavioral therapy looks at what precedes a child’s behavior, the behavior that needs modification and what happens after the behavior.
Parent Skills Training
An important aspect of helping children with ADHD is educating their parents. Parents can use behavioral techniques in their home and in working with their child to provide structure and modify negative behaviors. According to the National Resource Center on ADHD, parent training should discuss how to establish rules, create a reward system, give praise for good behavior, plan outings and use "time outs" for negative behavior. It is important for parents to learn to encourage positive behavior and discourage negative behavior consistently, so the child learns how to behave.
