Can ADHD in children be managed?
Yes, it can be! When a child has been diagnosed with ADHD, parents usually have concerns about which intervention would be best suited for their child.
It is recommended that parents work closely with others who are involved in their child’s life - teachers, healthcare providers, therapists and other family members to ensure the best intervention plan for their child. There are 2 primary interventions for children with ADHD.
1. Stimulant medication - Stimulants may be effective in areas such as increasing sustained attention, persistence in work and impulse control. However, for children younger than 6 years old, medication is not recommended. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends parent training in behaviour management first.
Medication can affect children differently and some may experience side effects such as reduced appetite and sleeping problems. Hence, medication is a tool, not a cure and is more likely to be effective when combined with therapy.
2. Behavioural Parent Training (BPT) - An evidence based therapy approach where parents are taught positive reinforcements in order to improve their child’s behaviour. Parents are taught to use more effective discipline methods through the manipulation of antecedents (rules & instructions) and consequences (e.g. rewards & time-outs).
This has been shown to effectively reduce disruptive child behaviour and parent-child conflicts. Furthermore, it enhances parenting skills for parents and helps to promote prosocial & self-regulating behaviours.
