Broward College Offers ADHD Treatment Tips

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (September 4, 2014) – During the month of September, many healthcare, family and children’s organizations focus on the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). As part of this, Broward College’s ADHD expert Alexis Resnick, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist who provides assessment, therapy and consultation services to children, adolescents and young adults with behavioral, academic, developmental, emotional, and social concerns, is providing a several effective behavioral treatment tips for ADHD.

“Effective treatments for ADHD include behavioral interventions and/or medication,” said Resnick, “However, it is important to conduct a comprehensive assessment to help guide treatment beforehand.” This is because individuals with ADHD may have other concerns, such as difficulties with on-task behavior, organization, social interactions and following through on directions. Treatments vary based on the specific concern. For instance, the treatment plan for an individual with organization difficulties would differ from the treatment plan for an individual with social interaction difficulties. Thus, a detailed assessment becomes essential for successful treatment.

Behavioral interventions, according to Resnick, typically involve modifying the environment to produce behavior change. Strategies such as providing reinforcement to increase appropriate behaviors, along with providing punishment, such as time-out or removal of privileges, to reduce inappropriate behaviors are routinely taught to caregivers. When using a reward program, the following are critical components: be clear and specific with expectations, be consistent when responding to the child’s behavior, provide frequent and immediate feedback for the child’s behavior and provide meaningful reinforcers.

“An example of this would be when a child has difficulty staying on task while working on a homework assignment and begins to look out the window and daydream,” says Resnick. “We may modify the environment by placing his/her desk away from a window, scheduling brief breaks throughout homework time –stretching, walking around the house, getting something to drink – to help improve focus, and reward him/her for positive on-task behavior.”

Behavioral interventions can be used with the targeted child, adolescent, or adult with ADHD, along with parents and educators, and may be implemented across settings, including home, school and in the community. “As part of successful treatment, though, it is also important to educate the family and others involved in the child’s life, like school personnel, regarding the disorder and its management,” said Resnick.

For more information, contact Tina David at  tdavid@broward.edu  or 954-201-7510.

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