Helping News July, 2016 Issue 97
Center for Disease Control and Prevention: ADHD in Young Children
May 2016
Use recommended treatment first: Behavior Therapy/ Psychological Services
Overview
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a biological disorder that causes hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and attention problems. Parents do not cause ADHD, but parents can play a key role in treatment. Behavior therapy is an effective treatment that improves ADHD symptoms without the side effects of medicine. It is an important first step for young children with ADHD and most effective when delivered by parents. With the support of healthcare providers and therapists, parents can learn specific ways to improve their child’s behavior and keep their relationships strong. Clinical guidelines for ADHD treatment recommend that healthcare providers first refer parents of young children for training in behavior therapy before prescribing ADHD medicine. However, more young children are taking medicine for ADHD than receiving psychological services, which may include behavior therapy. Most families will benefit from behavior therapy and there are instances where medicine may be appropriate. Healthcare providers and families can work together to make sure children with ADHD are receiving the most appropriate treatment.
About 2 million of the more than 6 million children with ADHD were diagnosed as young children aged 2-5 years.
About 75% of young children with ADHD received medicine as treatment, with risk of side effects.
Only about 50% of young children with ADHD in Medicaid and 40%with employer-sponsored insurance got psychological services, which may have included behavior therapy, the recommended first-line treatment.
Parents learn Structure and Discipline, Positive Reinforcement, and Positive Communication through extensive training in Behavior Therapy (CDC first recommended treatment), which have been proven to provide long lasting improvements without the side effects that many medications cause. However, most insurance plans will cover medication, not the CDC recommended first line of treatment, Behavior Therapy.
More information coming...
