Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the behavior of an individual. ADHD Treatments involve medication and psychotherapy. Behavioral therapy, which is a type of psychotherapy, helps manage the symptoms of ADHD by encouraging positive changes and improving self-control and self-esteem.
Some people believe that behavioral therapy helps them manage their ADHD symptoms without medication. At the same time, there’s another section of people who find the combination of behavioral therapy and medication to be more effective. If you go to the best ADHD treatment center in San Diego, CA, for therapy and care, the experts will evaluate your symptoms and determine the best treatment option for you.
What Does Behavioral Therapy Mean for ADHD Treatment?
People with ADHD experience symptoms that can make it difficult for them to perform their day-to-day tasks. Behavioral therapy can help those people learn certain skills that control those symptoms and improve their ability to manage their everyday tasks. The primary goal of this therapy is to replace negative behaviors with positive ones. It teaches people with ADHD a few effective strategies to improve in areas like impulse control, focus, and organization.
Behavioral therapy does not impact the actual symptoms of ADHD. Contrary to popular belief, the therapy does not change how the brain of a child or adult with ADHD Treatment works. However, it teaches some crucial skills to people with ADHD, making it much easier for them to manage their day-to-day work.
When an adult receives behavioral therapy for ADHD, he/she gets a specific kind of therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This therapy allows adults with ADHD to recognize how their thoughts impact their behaviors, helping them to reframe their thoughts.
How Does Behavioral Therapy Help Children with ADHD?
When it comes to treating a child with ADHD, the parents or guardians need to be actively involved in the process. Families need to work with a therapist to set goals, and the therapist will guide them in using behavioral therapy techniques at school and home. All behavioral therapy focuses on changing the actions of a person.
In behavioral therapy for children with ADHD, the therapist looks at how negative actions are reciprocated in a child’s home. In a lot of cases, the parents or guardians of children with ADHD are unintentionally reinforcing negative behaviors. This is the reason a therapist needs to sit down with the family to help create a plan.
The plan helps the entire family set goals and put effort into changing the child’s behaviors. The therapy sessions will offer the child and the parents (or guardian) the necessary tools to make such changes. The child can learn new skills and new ways to handle tasks that might have been challenging to them previously, such as:
- Keeping their rooms clean
- Completing homework
- Paying attention in class
- Completing daily chores
By working with the therapist, the parents or guardians can learn new methods of helping their child with ADHD. The therapist can even introduce new strategies for managing negative behaviors and rewarding the positive ones.
Is It Effective for People of All Ages?
Research suggests that some form of behavioral therapy may be helpful for people of any age with ADHD. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), training in basic behavioral therapy may benefit caregivers of children under 12 with ADHD. The training focuses on teaching parents and other caregivers to provide the necessary support the child requires while teaching him/her helpful behaviors.
The child may be ready for their own therapist around the age of about 8-10 years. However, the age may vary from one child to another. From this point into adulthood, a person with ADHD may work directly with a therapist to fulfill their behavioral goals.
Final Thoughts
Behavioral therapy of ADHD Treatment helps an individual and the caregivers to identify problematic behaviors and create a plan to replace them with positive behaviors. Studies suggest that behavioral therapy is an effective way to manage ADHD symptoms in children, teens, and adults. A doctor may ask the individual with ADHD to take medication along with the therapy to get the most effective results.
