Broward College Expert Offers Tips for ADHD Month

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (August 28, 2015) – During the month of September and as the school year begins, many healthcare, family and children’s organizations focus on the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). As part of this, Alexis Resnick, Ph.D.,  a professor of psychology in the behavioral science department at Broward College, as well as 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 several behavioral treatment tips for ADHD.

“It is important to conduct a comprehensive, detailed assessment to help guide treatment since effective treatments for ADHD include behavioral interventions and/or medication,” said Resnick, “Individuals with ADHD may have various concerns, so treatments are different 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 anxieties.”

Behavioral interventions, according to Resnick, typically involve modifying the environment to produce behavior change. Strategies such as providing reinforcement to increase appropriate behaviors are routinely taught to caregivers to reduce inappropriate behaviors. It is important to 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 reinforcements.

“When a child has difficulty staying on task during homework time and begins to look out the window and daydream,” said Resnick. “We may modify the environment by placing their desk away from a window or scheduling brief breaks throughout homework time to help improve focus and reward the child for positive, on-task behavior.”

Behavioral interventions by parents and educators may be implemented across settings, including home, school and in the community. “As part of successful treatment, it is important to educate the family and others involved in the child’s life, such as school personnel, regarding the disorder and its management,” said Resnick.

For more information, contact Angela Nicoletti at 954-201-7939 or  anicolet@broward.edu .

-BC-