ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a common
psychological disorder that often becomes perceptible once
a child starts preschool. Millions of children are
diagnosed with ADHD each year, many of them before the age
of six. The most prevalent form of treatment is typically
prescription medication, which may help to reduce the
symptoms of ADHD so the child can function normally in a
school setting. Unfortunately, drug medications are not
without side effects and can be addictive. For these
reasons, many parents seek treatment for ADHD through
behavior therapy.
Behavioral therapy, also known as behavior management, is
shown to have positive results on ADHD children. The goal
of behavior therapy in ADHD children is to increase the
desired behaviors. This is typically achieved through
using positive reinforcements when the child acts
appropriately. The first step of therapy is typically to
improve the relationship between the child and the parents.
This is coupled with providing negative consequences and
positive reinforcements to help the child increase his or
her interest in pleasing the parents.
Part of the success of behavior therapy for ADHD children
lies in the active interest and support of the child's
parents. Parents need to take an active role in making the
therapy work for their child. This includes making and
following a game plan to which both parents need to use to
help guide the child to success. Parents should discuss
the ongoing therapy with the doctor to ensure that the
program is working for their child.
One of the most important factors in using behavioral
therapy is to identify the problem early and start
treatment as soon as possible. Even very young ADHD
children will benefit from some form of behavioral therapy.
One problem has always been early detection of ADHD in
children. In the past small children that had disciplinary
problems may have been expelled and told to wait until they
matured slightly to enter pre-school.
Recent studies have found that when behavior therapy is
started very young it can be quite successful as an
alternative treatment for ADHD. In a 5-year study
conducted by researchers at Lehigh University,
Pennsylvania, 135 preschoolers with ADHD were treated with
a variety of behavior-only therapies. After a year,
researchers found that the children's behavior and learning
had improved by about 30 percent. The most effective
techniques are based on consistency in rules and routine
when dealing with good and bad behaviors.
In many cases, ADHD children can be treated successfully
without the use of medications or through the use of
reduced medication coupled with behavior therapy. ADHD
children respond well the younger they are when they are
diagnosed and treated. If you have concerns about whether
or not your child is exhibiting symptoms of ADHD you should
consult with a doctor. A qualified specialist can perform
simple tests to determine if the child has ADHD and if so
the severity of the condition.
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Drug medications are the most prevalent form of treatment
for ADHD. The side effects are often unpleasant and can be
serious. There are alternative treatments for ADHD that are
safer and yet effective. Check out the all natural and drug
free treatment for ADHD at
http://www.guidetoadhd.com/prd-beh
