Having a child or teen who struggles with ADHD can be challenging. The good news is that Evidence Based Treatments – effective treatment programs and strategies that have been tested through rigorous scientific research - are available. These treatments aren’t going to make your child’s ADHD symptoms disappear, but research findings tell us that these treatments (either alone or in combination with medication) should lead to significant improvement. Unfortunately, for many parents it can be difficult to know if the treatment being provided by their child’s therapist is actually evidence-based. While I encourage all parents to have a direct conversation with their child’s therapist about their training and treatment approach, there are also things parents can look for in the content of the therapy sessions themselves that will indicate whether an evidence-based treatment is being used.
There are many specific evidence-based treatments available for a variety of child and adolescent mental health problems (you can find articles and videos about specific treatments here https://effectivechildtherapy.org/therapies/), and all of these treatments for children and teens share five essential ingredients that contribute to their effectiveness.
If your child or teen’s therapist is not providing evidence-based treatment and their ADHD symptoms at home and at school are not improving, then it’s probably time to find a new therapist. In next week’s post I’ll share a list of questions to ask a prospective therapist that will help you learn about his or her approach to treatment before you and your child start to work with him or her. Not sure where to begin your search for a new therapist? One of the following therapist directories can be a good starting point:
Society of Child and Adolescent Psychology
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
American Psychological Association
Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers.
Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com.
This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.