| If you're wondering if therapy for ADHD can help | | | | yourself. You do not need to be a trained |
| your child better manage his symptoms, then | | | | psychologist or therapist to do this. Instead, you |
| read this brief article. In it, you will learn the kind | | | | can get an at-home program that will teach you |
| of therapy that works, what changes you can | | | | the skills, so you can teach your child. These are |
| expect from it and how you can learn to teach | | | | simple skills that anyone can learn and apply. |
| your child these skills at home. | | | | Obviously, there are benefits to taking the |
| Different therapists use different models when | | | | do-it-yourself approach. First, it is less expensive in |
| doing therapy. For ADHD and therapy to be | | | | the long run. You buy the program and you're |
| effective, you need to make sure that the | | | | done. You can refer back to it anytime you want. |
| therapist uses behavioral modification or what is | | | | Some programs even have free hotlines that you |
| often referred to as the behavioral/cognitive | | | | can call if you have questions. Next, you will get |
| model. All this means is that the therapist will | | | | to learn these skills yourself, so you can help your |
| teach your child certain skills that will create | | | | child whenever necessary (you don't have to wait |
| measurable changes in behavior. | | | | to schedule a counseling session.) Third, you will |
| For instance, if your child is hyperactive and can't | | | | get to witness your child's growing confidence as |
| sit still for more than 2 minutes, the therapist will | | | | he learns that he can control his behavior. Finally, |
| teach him skills that will help him learn to sit still | | | | your child will gain more respect for you. After all, |
| for 5 minutes, then 10, then 15 and so on. When | | | | you were the one to help him change his life. |
| behavior changes, it shows us that learning has | | | | The best programs usually come with CDs or |
| taken place. | | | | DVDs (to show you or talk you through the |
| This is what therapy for ADHD is all about: | | | | steps) and a notebook that you can write in to |
| teaching your child new skills that will help him to | | | | record your child's progress. One at-home therapy |
| better manage his symptoms. As part of | | | | for ADHD program on the market was developed |
| therapy, your child can learn how to control his | | | | by a psychologist who used his skills to help his |
| impulses, focus for longer periods of time, sit still, | | | | own son who had Attention Deficit Hyperactivity |
| stay on task, curb aggression, etc. Obviously, | | | | Disorder. Realizing how valuable this would be for |
| learning these skills takes time. New ADHD and | | | | other parents, he package his skills and know-how |
| therapy techniques are not mastered in one | | | | into a program that any parent could follow. |
| session. | | | | If you are giving your child drugs to treat ADHD, |
| Before going to a therapist, check to make sure | | | | it's important to know that while these |
| if your insurance covers it and if so, how many | | | | medications suppress his symptoms, they are not |
| sessions. After all, therapy can be quite | | | | teaching him how to deal with them. This is why |
| expensive, so you need to make sure you know | | | | ADHD and therapy is an important part of any |
| if there will be any out-of-pocket expenses. Since | | | | treatment program, whether your child is taking |
| some therapists are more skillful than others, be | | | | natural remedies or pharmaceuticals. By putting |
| sure to get a recommendation from your child's | | | | your child in a program to teach him how to |
| doctor. | | | | better control his impulses, calm himself, focus |
| Taking your child to therapy is not the only way | | | | and behave, you are teaching him techniques that |
| to teach your child these skills. Another way to | | | | will serve him throughout his life. |
| achieve the same results is to teach your child | | | | |