Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Other Treatment
Other methods of treatment that may be used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder include behaviour management, social skills training, and counselling.
Treatment for ADHD is based on your or your child's symptoms and problem behaviours. Medication 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 medication.
- Medications cause significant side effects.
- Another condition, such as anxiety, occurs along with ADHD. Medication combined with other treatment often is used.
Other Treatment Choices
Behavioural interventions
Behavioural interventions help train parents, teachers, and other adults responsible for a child with ADHD. Programs emphasize the need to establish routines and rules for behaviour 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-behavioural therapy techniques. Cognitive-based therapies depend more upon the child to self-direct behavioural changes.7 A child with ADHD is not likely to have the skills to change his or her behaviour without help and guidance from adults.
Behavioural interventions most often used to help treat ADHD in a child include:
- Behaviour management. Time-out and reward systems can help a child with ADHD learn appropriate behaviours for the classroom and home. Parent training in behaviour management skills is conducted during a series of 6 to 12 counselling sessions of 1 to 2 hours a week.
- Social skills training. These techniques help the child learn to be less aggressive and impulsive, manage anger, and behave in a more socially acceptable way.
- Counselling, including family therapy. All household members can benefit from learning methods to deal effectively with ADHD behaviour.
Behavioural intervention for adults focuses upon assistance with organizational skills and healthy relationships.
Complementary and alternative medicine
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is used by some therapists or others who do not operate within mainstream medical practise. However, 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.16, 17 However, a person with ADHD may benefit from safe, non-traditional 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.
If you are considering using complementary and alternative medicine to help treat ADHD, be open with your health professional about the subject. He or she can help direct you to treatments that are safe to use in combination with proven techniques. Only those treatments that best help control ADHD symptoms without causing physical or emotional harm should be used.
What To Think About
Overall, medications are the most effective treatment for ADHD, although individuals vary in their response to medication. Behavioural training, training and education for parents, and counselling are sometimes used as the primary treatment for mild symptoms. Usually, these methods are used in addition to medication for people with moderate to severe symptoms.
Parents may understandably be reluctant to give their child medication. However, studies show that for short-term use, these medications are safe and can positively affect behaviour and improve the quality of life for people with ADHD and their families. It is important to talk openly with your health professional about any concerns in order to best understand and treat ADHD.
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| Author: | Carrie Henley Sabra L. Katz-Wise | Last Updated: August 31, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Mina Dulcan, MD - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics | |
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