Other Treatment
Other methods of treatment
that may be used for
include
behavior management, social skills training, and counseling.
Treatment for ADHD is based on your or your child's symptoms and problem
behaviors. Medicine is the most effective treatment for the major ADHD symptoms
of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Other treatment is sometimes
recommended if:
- Symptoms are mild.
- Symptoms do not
respond to medicine.
- Medicines cause significant side
effects.
- Another condition, such as
, occurs along with ADHD. Medicine combined
with other treatment often is used.
Other Treatment Choices
Behavioral interventions
Behavioral
interventions help train parents, teachers, and other adults responsible for a
child with ADHD. Programs emphasize the need to establish routines and rules
for behavior and to closely monitor how a child responds. The adult
consistently delivers rewards or consequences depending upon how the child
complies with the rules. This type of treatment has been shown to be more
effective than
cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques.
Cognitive-based therapies depend more upon the child to self-direct behavioral
changes. A child with ADHD is not likely to have the
skills to change his or her behavior without help and guidance from adults.
Behavioral interventions most often used to help treat ADHD in a
child include:
- Behavior management. Time-out and
reward systems can help a child with ADHD learn appropriate behaviors for the
classroom and home. Parent training in behavior management skills is conducted
during a series of 6 to 12 counseling sessions of 1 to 2 hours a
week.
- Social skills training. These techniques help the
child learn to be less aggressive and impulsive, to manage anger, and to behave in a
more socially acceptable way.
- Counseling, including
family therapy. All household members can benefit from
learning methods to deal effectively with ADHD behavior.
Behavioral intervention for adults focuses on
assistance with organizational skills and healthy relationships.
Complementary and alternative medicine
is used by some
therapists or others who do not operate within mainstream medical practice. But
none of these complementary therapies have been shown through clinical research
to be effective in treating ADHD and should not replace proven conventional
methods. More research is needed before any can be recommended as primary
treatment for ADHD. But a person with ADHD may
benefit from safe, nontraditional therapies used in addition to conventional
medical treatment. For example, acupuncture or biofeedback may help relieve
stress and muscle tension and improve a person's overall well-being and quality
of life.