Has your child been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( ADHD ) ? If so, your doctor may have told you about Behavior Therapy. You may feel a little intimidated and confused by the name. That's normal. So today, let's talk about what behavioral therapy is, how it's important for your child, and how you, as a parent, can help.
Simply put, what is behavioral therapy?
Many people think of this as ` psychotherapy` , which is a type of therapy that looks inside the child's mind. Others think of it as `play therapy`, which is a type of therapy that involves playing with the child. But it is actually neither.
Behavioral therapy is a method that focuses on the child's actions rather than their feelings . Simply put, it helps the child channel their restless, chaotic energy into positive thoughts and actions. Most importantly, this therapy starts at home, which means with you.
This is a practical method that teaches children to manage their behavior patterns. It minimizes the child's bad behavior and encourages good behavior.
Also, don't confuse this with ADHD coaching or occupational therapy . ADHD coaches are people who help a child achieve certain goals , not therapists or doctors. Occupational therapy is about building the skills a child needs to perform daily tasks.
What is the best time to start this treatment?
Doctors recommend starting this behavioral therapy as soon as a child is diagnosed with ADHD.
- Preschoolers (4-5 years): This is usually the only treatment given to children of this age. Studies have shown that behavioral therapy is just as effective as medication for children of this age. However, if your child's symptoms are moderate to severe, or if these treatments alone do not help, your doctor may prescribe medication.
- For children 6 years and older: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children this age receive behavioral therapy along with medication . This combination is sometimes called a ``multimodal approach.''
Parent Training – You are the most important therapist!
This is the most important part of this article. In this behavioral therapy method , the main therapist is you, the one who raises your child . Yes, it may sound strange to you. But it's true. Since your child spends most of his time with you, you can have the greatest influence on changing your child's behavior.
' Parent training' is a program that teaches you the skills, knowledge, and methods needed for this job. It usually involves at least 8 sessions with a therapist.
Remember, if young children have ADHD, the only treatment even the CDC recommends is parent training.
Sometimes, you may feel tired and frustrated because of your child's behavior. That's normal. Therefore, participating in stress management training programs for parents is also very useful. Everyone, including teachers and other caregivers, should help with this. Then the child will receive the same message from everyone around him. That will encourage the child's good behavior.
What are the main methods of this treatment?
There are three basic steps in this treatment:
1. Set a clear goal: State what is expected of your child clearly, simply, and in a way that your child can understand. For example, "I need to finish my homework by 5 p.m." is a clear goal.
2. Be consistent with rewards and consequences: Always reward your child when he does something good. Also, make sure your child knows what the consequences are for bad behavior. And enforce them accordingly.
3. Continue using this method: Continuing to follow this method throughout your child's childhood will help build a positive behavior pattern.
The table below lists some of the main techniques used for this purpose.
| Technology | Simply put… |
|---|---|
| Positive Reinforcement | Giving a reward when a child does something good. For example: “If you finish your homework on time and properly, I’ll let you play a video game.” |
| Token Economy | It's a system similar to the way teachers give stickers at school. They give something like a star for good work, and when you accumulate enough stars, you get a big reward. This can be used at home too. |
| Loss of privileges as a consequence (Response Cost) | If a child does something bad, they are deprived of a privilege or reward. For example: “If you don’t do your homework, you won’t get to play on the computer today.” |
| Time Out | This is a common punishment often used for bad behavior in young children. For example: “If you hit your sister, you have to sit in a chair alone and quietly for a few minutes.” |
How to help your child at school?
In addition to what you as parents can do at home, teachers can also help your child at school. It is important to talk to the teacher, explain the child's situation, and come to an agreement. Here are some things teachers can do:
- Providing a separate, quiet place to write answers to exams and question papers.
- Place the child's desk at the front of the class, away from distractions.
- Giving more time for exams.
- Changing the amount of homework.
- Giving the child a chance to move around a bit by giving them a small task, like going to the library to help the teacher.
- Removing things like rubber bands that distract attention.
Take-Home Message
- The first and most important treatment recommended for a child with ADHD, especially a preschool-aged child, is Behavior Therapy.
- The most important therapist in this treatment is you, the child's parents. Therefore, participating in parent training programs is essential.
- Be consistent and consistent in your child's rewards for good behavior and consequences for bad behavior .
- This is a team effort. Parents, doctors, and teachers working together can achieve faster results.
- This is not something that will change overnight. Be patient and persistent . You will definitely see a positive change in your child's life.
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