| Have you ever heard of the MTA study? It was | | | | weight and drowsiness, there must be a better |
| organized by the NIMH (National Institute of | | | | therapy for ADHD. |
| Mental Health) and it tried to ascertain whether | | | | As I mentioned above, the MTA study has been |
| therapy for ADHD with prescription meds or a | | | | interpreted in various ways. William Pelham, who is |
| combination of behavior therapy plus medication | | | | a distinguished child psychologist has no doubt at |
| was more affective. | | | | all. Neither has Gregory Fabiano, winner of the |
| Results were mixed but it was shown that | | | | White House Presidential Early Career Award. |
| combination treatments were giving better results | | | | Their work is based on almost 200 studies which |
| in areas such as academic performance, defiant | | | | have convinced them that ADHD behavior |
| behavior and also in parent-child rapport. | | | | modification or behavior therapy is by far the |
| One fact to consider is that there was another | | | | best therapy for ADHD. |
| advantage in the combination therapy in that | | | | Parents then are one of the most important |
| doses of the medicines could be reduced. There is | | | | elements in the ADHD and therapy equation, not |
| so much controversy about these medicines that | | | | just the long suffering ADHD child who is |
| the FDA is often seen as sitting on the fence and | | | | frequently regarded as a problem. With behavior |
| not taking a strong enough stance on the | | | | therapy, parents work with the child. Both parties |
| warnings and the consequent health risks. | | | | know the limits and the child is taught how to |
| Another fact is that nobody knows or seems to | | | | cope and how to react to various situations. The |
| care about the long term effects. Did you know | | | | parents' response to behavior is of great |
| that Adderall can be administered to children of | | | | importance as that very often determines how a |
| three? Normally the age limit of these | | | | child will react. |
| amphetamine drugs is set at six, but for some | | | | Each child will need different ADHD and therapy |
| reason which defeats me, Adderall is allowed for | | | | options and there are many things to consider. I |
| three year olds! | | | | know that combining behavior therapy with a |
| That means it has been found to be safe and | | | | homeopathic remedy which has no side effects is |
| effective. What attention span and focus is a child | | | | a great way to come to terms with the ADHD |
| of three supposed to have? Given all the other | | | | challenge. Why not find out what this involves and |
| negative side effects such as insomnia, loss of | | | | why it could really be the best therapy for ADHD. |