Children and parents should both be a part of therapy.
Behavior therapy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is important because people with ADHD face problems in daily functioning in addition to their ADHD symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and/or impulsivity. Combining medication and behavioral therapy results in improving ADHD and oppositional symptoms and other areas of functioning, such as parenting and academic outcomes, according to a 1992 Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology study cited by the National Resource Center on AD/HD.
Instructions
1. Identify a mental health professional who can provide therapy. You can ask your primary care provider or insurance company for a referral.
2. Begin counseling as soon as you or your child receive a diagnosis, recommends the on AD/HD. Starting early is superior to starting later.
3. Begin psychotherapy and/or behavior therapy. Psychotherapy should be used for older children and adults. It provides an opportunity to talk about troublesome issues, learn ways to change negative behavior patterns and discuss manage ADHD symptoms. If behavior therapy is used, parents and teachers learn behavior change strategies.
4. Begin with an evaluation of your or your child's problem. Working with your health care provider, develop a plan of action and behaviors to target.
5. Begin with small goals. Improvement will be gradual, according to the Center on AD/HD.
6. Use a team approach, recommends MayoClinic.com. Teachers, therapists, physicians and parents should work together to ensure that treatment strategies are employed across settings. Treatment for adults should include spouses.
7. Learn skills that will be helpful in daily interactions with your child, if you are a parent of a child with ADHD. Learn skills that will help you in your interactions with others, if you have ADHD. In behavior therapy, you can learn to change antecedents, or behavior triggers. Parents can learn to alter consequences of behaviors, such as punishments.
8. Enroll in family counseling. Living with someone with ADHD can be stressful. Counseling can help you learn to cope.
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