How Behavioral Therapy Can Help Your Child’s ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can cause many problems for your child, and for others around them, as well. But, there are ways to treat this condition.

Our board-certified team at Neighborhood Pediatrics offers help and guidance for patients with ADHD and families who live with those who have it. Not only do we provide our expert diagnosis and treatment, but we walk the journey with you to help you and your whole family thrive.

Understanding ADHD

Though you might find the symptoms of ADHD disruptive, children who have this condition need compassion and understanding. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has a long list of symptoms that may include:

Uncontrollable fidgeting
Impatience
Lack of short-term memory
Trouble with sleeping
Difficulty managing emotions
Mood swings
Lack of focus
Lack of impulse control
Anxiety overload
Always losing things
Constantly interrupting others
Incessant talking
Won’t take direction

ADHD can be present in children and adults, but is primarily diagnosed in children between ages 3 to 7.

Treatment for ADHD

Our team offers behavioral therapy as a treatment option. The goal is to help your child:

Reduce their disruptive behaviors
Improve their attention span
Reward and strengthen good behavior
Teach them how to express their thoughts and feelings appropriately

We address all problematic behaviors and work with your child to help them make improvements.

How behavioral therapy works

Before we start our sessions, we set clear goals for your child that are specific, reasonable, and achievable. We make sure your child understands what we aim to accomplish with our time together.

We also choose rewards that will motivate your child. We want them to know what good behavior can offer. We also communicate the consequences for unwanted behavior.

Techniques often used include:

Using positive reinforcement

Rewards are a successful way of changing behaviors. An example of a reward might include 10 extra minutes of playing a game or watching a show if they complete their homework or finish a chore.

Taking a “time-out”

When you remove a child from a situation, it makes them reflect on what they’ve done and requires them to sit still. For example, if your child hits another child, remove them from the situation and have them sit alone for a few minutes.

Helping them count the cost

This technique helps your child see that if they display unwanted behavior, they lose the reward they’re looking forward to gaining. So, if they don’t complete their homework, they won’t get the extra 10 minutes of play time.

We also use the technique in which consistent good behavior can amount to a big reward. Let’s say your child is in class, and each time they turn in their homework, they receive a sticker. After getting a certain number of stickers, your child gets a toy or something they’ve been wanting.

How you can help

As a parent, we understand that consistency can be tiring. But keeping a routine for your child and staying on task can help them considerably. Do your best to keep them on a schedule, put items in the same place where they can pick things up and return them, and help them stay on task with charts that can track their progress. In addition, limit their choices when they need to make decisions. This helps them feel less overwhelmed.

If they behave badly and need to put them in a time out, talk to them calmly about their negative behavior and follow through.

You should also communicate with their teachers and caregivers to make sure you’re all on the same page. Surrounding your child with an excellent support system can help them progress in positive ways.

Be sure that all of you have your reward system for good behavior in place. When their support system is consistent, they can trust each person, which can produce good results.

If your child has ADHD, you don’t have to figure out how to help them on your own. We’re here! Give us a call at our practice in Shenandoah, Texas, or use the online booking tool today.