First of all,
Impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention are hallmarks of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity condition (ADHD), a neurodevelopmental condition. While medication has historically been the main treatment choice for ADHD, especially in older children and adolescents, recent studies have shown the efficacy of behavior therapy as a first-line strategy, especially for young children. This article looks at behavior therapy’s rationale, evidence base, and efficacy as the initial treatment option for young children with ADHD.
It may surprise you to learn that many children with severe symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed before they are six. For small children, the proper treatment for ADHD is necessary. Experts recommend behavior therapy as the first line of treatment for young children with ADHD.
ADHD is one of the most common long-term childhood disorders, affecting many children, even the smallest ones. Patients with more severe symptoms are often diagnosed early. Find out about recent advancements in medication therapy and ADHD diagnosis.
Being impulsive, easily distracted, and hyperactive is normal for young children; however, excessive cases of these features can cause problems. Young children with ADHD may find early education programs and school more difficult than children without the disease. These difficulties may include interactions with peers, difficulties in the classroom, and a higher risk of harm.
After my young child’s ADHD diagnosis, what should I do next?
For most older children, a combination of medication and behavior therapy is the most effective course of treatment. However, before trying medication, experts say that behavior therapy is the primary line of treatment for ADHD in kids under the age of six. Behavior therapy is the recommended treatment plan for children under the age of six with ADHD. The most effective type of behavior therapy for this age group is parent training in behavior management, in which therapists collaborate with parents to equip them with the knowledge and abilities needed to help their child better manage their ADHD.
How Can Behavior Management Training for Parents Benefit My Child?
It can be challenging for parents to handle the behaviors that children with ADHD display. Children may often behave impulsively, forget what they have been taught, and exhibit high levels of energy. Because they might not be able to get positive attention in the same way that other kids can, they might be more prone than other kids to misbehave and get punished more frequently. Even if they really try, children with ADHD may not be able to follow regulations. As a result, they might stop trying or start acting out more frequently, and their self-image might suffer.
A therapist with training in behavior management can help parents understand how ADHD affects their child. Parent education in behavior management helps change troublesome behaviors by improving parenting skills, creating a stronger link between parents and their ADHD child, and helping children manage their own behavior.
Learn more about ADHD and get trained on behavioural approaches to help caregivers, preschool teachers, and other caregivers manage the behavior of preschool-aged children with the disorder.
The Initial Suggested Option
The recommended treatment for ADHD in children under six years old is behavior therapy, which should be used before medication.
The adverse effects of ADHD medications, which include increased heart rate and blood pressure, trouble falling asleep, appetite loss, and low energy, are more common in younger children than in older children.
The long-term effects of ADHD meds on children under the age of six are uncertain because these treatments have not been properly studied in younger children.
Behavior therapy is equally as successful as medication in treating the symptoms of ADHD in young children. Studies show that behavior therapy-trained families continue to reap benefits long after the treatment has ended.
There is evidence that behavior control instruction for parents is an effective treatment. Several programs have been identified by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality as meeting its standards for effective medical care. Find out more about these parent education programs that include early child behavior therapy.
What Does the CDC Carry Out?
The goal of the CDC is to help families get the right care at the right time.
The CDC is working with partner agencies and states to identify best practices and increase awareness in favor of behavior treatment for ADHD.
In order to ascertain the prevalence of ADHD in children and the approaches employed in its treatment, the CDC is employing national surveys.
The CDC is collecting more data regarding the diagnosis of ADHD in children.
The CDC supports the National Resource Center on ADHD, which provides evidence-based information about ADHD to professionals and families.
What’s Possible for You:
Talk to your doctor about behavioral therapy first.
Tell other families about the available behavioural therapy for ADHD.
Extra Information
Information on ADHD | CHADD | CDC Improving Access To Children’s Mental Health Care | CDC National Resource Center on ADHD
Citation
Citation: American Academy of Pediatrics, Subcommittee on Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD: Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Pediatrics, 2019; 144 (4): e20192528.
