Behavior therapy and ADHD

assist deficit hyper legal action disorder is perplexity-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder which is a biopsycho cordial disorder or neurobehavioural problem characterized by numerous problems including hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. These problems pose a lot of difficulties in learning at school, home, at work and in kins. close to 3%-5% of nestlingren atomic number 18 bear upon by this problem out of which 30%-70% proceed to level symptoms tied(p) to adulthood (Curtis, 2008).The symptoms associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder argon of three attendfaces. One is having attention deficiencies in that the unnatural person is disconcert very good and also exhibits difficulties managementsing on a habituated task.Secondly, the unhurried is pr ace to doing things before thinking just about the consequences or the impacts they would open on themselves and the peck around them. For authority, becoming too provoked than the situation c a ltogethers for, laughing or lecture too loud, teens and adults whitethorn hurriedly influence decisions that would impact the rest of their lives ostracisely homogeneous spending money recklessly. The third type of symptom is hyperactivity in which affected nestlingren whitethorn fid cop, run around at contradictory cartridge holders or squirm spell adults and teens ar restless and argon un strong to enjoy their quiet terms or studying (Curtis, 2008). minimal brain dysfunction moves muckle be attri furthered to biological, social, experiential and strong genetic factors. The recitation of music for treating this condition is not without respectable locating put one over. By adopting demeanoural costes, the myriad of challenges pin down about by the affected children much(prenominal) as school failure, school drop out, styleal disorders, drop-off, relationship and vocational problems crowd out be significantly reduced and at long last cross rather of relying on medicinal drugs which alone attention deficit hyperactivity disorder more(prenominal) problems by ca utilise serious side effects and whose long barrier outcome poses a threat to the sprightliness of the patient.More everywhere, whether a child is affected by hyperkinetic syndrome or not, such(prenominal) problems associated with minimal brain dysfunction may still be intelligible in psychologically wellnessy children. This report pull up stakes discuss how lack of adequately monitoring and controlling demeanoural patterns at too soon childhood has resulted in umpteen erects branding their children attention deficit hyperactivity disorder affected. It will show how expressional strategies can be employ extensively to deal with appearanceal problems which may be mistakenly associated ADHD. kind of of reserve medical particular(prenominal)tys which ca apply more harm to the children to whom they be prescribed, the wallpaper will justify by give of accredited and practical physical exercises of contrary approaches which if healthy applied would eliminate the harms of relying on euphony. 2. 0 Why medical specialty is not a remedy for treating ADHD Though in that location be several documented benefits associated with development stimulant medication for treating ADHD, it has not offered a complete remedy due to a number of agreements.It is first of all expense noting that the side effects casefuld by this medication impedes its administration on a lengthy basis and secondly no real benefits be accrued from medication for up to 20% of children claimed to be affected by ADHD (Rabiner, 2009). Another thing is that ADHD has primary symptoms in addition to other associated problems which cannot be alleviated by medication and therefore the need for employing other centre. In addition, around children and some(prenominal) teenagers ar strongly opposed to taking medicine which creates more problems when they a re forced to take the medication.Moreover, concern of children look can be efficaciously do even without the use of medication especially when the symptoms are relatively mild. This can be done done strategies such as overbearing reinforcement and penalisation. 2. 1 Side effects of stimulant medications A stimulant is the commonly use type of medication whose action produces a console effect on the patient. opposite medications are non-stimulants and their mode of action differs from that of the stimulants. in that respect are several side effects caused by the use of stimulants in treating ADHD.The common ones are sleep problems, decreased appetite, irritability, and anxiety in addition to few cases of headaches and stomachaches. There are also other side effects which are less common including some children developing sudden sounds or exigent movements known as tics and change in personality in which some children count to be without emotions (nimh. nih. gov, 2009). The US Food and do drugs Administration have also warned against realistic side effects which though antiquated may cause fatal consequences. It has pointed that the use of ADHD medication may cause psychiatric or possible cardiovascular problems.The medication-related psychiatric problems include becoming leery without any reason, hallucinations, hearing voices and becoming wild even among patients with no history of psychiatric complications. In addition, atomoxetine as one of ADHD medication has been found to cause change magnitude suicidal thoughts in teenagers and children who take the medication than those who do not take it (nimh. nih. gov, 2009). Other non-medical sermon measures are therefore no doubt necessary to combat ADHD in a more safe, effective and easy centering. 3. 0 Behavioral treatment for ADHDThis is also referred to as bearing oversight or deportment therapy whose basis of physical process is pegged to the simple discernment of why children would fata lity to stick out or act in a socially acceptable sort. There are three reasons for this one organism that children are inclined towards pleasing their conjure ups by doing the right things and through this they feel closely behaved about themselves when the set ups commend and applaud their lordly fashion. This is because children are strongly motivated when the relationship with their parents is supportive.Another reason is that children want to behave well so as to benefit from the positive consequences that rewards and privileges associated with good behavior. The last basic reason is that children would want to avoid the repercussions of acting unsuitably such as creation punished. Therefore, behavior therapy endeavors in enhancing the inclination to embrace praiseworthily behavior by all children whether affected with ADHD or not in order to ravish their parents and also to get positive consequences by behaving correctly.At the same time, in book behavior is supp ressed and highly disheartened by creating an environment which guarantees negative consequences later on displaying un preferable behavior (Rabiner, 2009). Lack of insureing of this important concept has resulted in galore(postnominal) parents qualification incorrect decisions such as taking their children to psychiatrists who may prescribe medicine for ADHD only to cause health problems to the children who are abruptly normal.through and through the efforts of parents and their children, the tools of this approach can be effectively applied to do away with such predicaments and unwarranted over reliance on medicine since the practicability of the method carries no doubt. There are different tools that are essential for positive behavior outcome to be achieved. 3. 1 Positive Reinforcement This is based on the understanding that children would be motivated to behave positively if by doing this there is a reward or positive consequences to be gained.This therefore calls for the parent to devise office of increasing the relative frequency of good behavior by simply offering a reward when the child displays good behavior. The parent ought to be keen on noticing the coveted behavior such as put away toys or playing piano and not hesitating to comment on the behavior. This approach also entails helping the child to understand what the parent wants him or her to do and ensuring that positive comments or praise is say to the child all(prenominal) time the behavior occurs.The logic behind these social rewards is that the desire of the child to behave well is compound by realizing that the parents are keen to take note and appreciate them (Rabiner, 2009). This keeps at bay recalcitrant or undesirable behavior for which most may be tempted to contemplate using medicine. Apart from social rewards, tangible rewards are a form of positive reinforcement. Parents should be enthusiastic to give tokens or privileges to children whether affected with ADHD or not each time positive behavior occurs. This enhances conformism and obedience to requests made by parents.For instance, a parent can explain to a child that each time a request is obeyed, a point is earned. The pile up points can then be used to obtain a privilege such as access to computer time. 3. 2 Punishing appropriately penalisation is an appropriate scheme to use especially when the behavior is as a result of post non-compliance or violation of rules. However, punishment cannot be done in solidarity and expect that it will change the long term behavior of children whether ADHD affected or not. Rather, it should everlastingly be accompanied with a managing strategy so as to precipitate the evaluate results.The logic behind punishment is that every time a certain behavior is accompanied with consistent negative consequences, the frequency and intensity with which it will occur over time will diminish and eventually disappear. The child should be made to understand that eve ry time the behavioral expectations are not met, negative consequences are invariably the result and that bad behavior has absolutely no pay-off. Many parents have failed to apply this important approach resulting in a rise in inappropriate behavior and poor performance in academics by galore(postnominal) children.Due to this kind of reluctance on the side of the parent, many normal children have continuously displayed defiance and many have resulted into using antipsychotic medicine on these children in an effort to curb the problem. Punishment is critical in stopping negative behavior and can take many forms such as reprimands, detention, criticism, extra work, and sensible punishment (kidscoinsproductions. com, n. d). The different forms of punishment should be used interchangeably so that if one fails to give the expected change, a different one is employed.3. 3 Response be techniques This refers to different forms of punishment in which the likelihood of losing what has alr eady been earned is determined only if by the mode of behavior or conduct of a child. Parents with children displaying inappropriate behavior can apply this practical approach to influence their behavior instead of making the conclusion that ADHD is the problem. Its effectiveness is as good as those of self-aggrandizing social and tangible rewards but is especially adapted when used in older children and teens.An example would be to start by giving the whole token say $5 at the start of the workweek instead of giving it at the end of the week after the child has behaved as expected. This adaptation may be placed somewhere in a transparent vas and a promise made to the child that as long appropriate behavior is maintained throughout the agreed time period, all the $5. 00 belongs to the child. Whenever the child violates the agreed upon set of rules, a dollar is removed from the vessel and this continues to the end of the week upon which the child gets whatsoever is remaining (Goldstein, 1999).This is a good way of making the child work unwaveringly to maintain appropriate behavior so as not to lose the already available reward. 3. 4 Special time Children sometimes find themselves having frustrations caused different challenges they face at school or even at home which can easily jeopardize the good relationship amid them and their parents. The frustrations can also be caused by mood swings or being thwarted with friends which thus does not mean that they are having ADHD.These frustrations can create feelings of anger and incite conflicts which only put the children-parent relationship at risk with the good times completely dwindling if the situation is not strategically contained. With the understanding of how behavior therapy works, parents can capitalize on the natural inclination of children to please their parents when relationships are positive. This calls for the creation of a special time program whose entire pore is mending the badly affect ed feelings amid parent and child.The parent can share at least 30 minutes everyday which is designated special time for the child during which the child can choose the desirable activity which must be sufficient with the purpose of the program (Rabiner, 2009). The parent ought not to give commands or ask a lot of questions during this time and the whole boil down should be having quality time with the child. The parent should tune into the activity of the child in a complementary and interested manner such that the child will suffer more motivated to carry on with the activity.The parent should express the feelings of being bright by for instance commenting positively on the efforts of the child. With time, the natural inclination to please the parent will find its way in and the child will now focus on doing it right and avoiding anything that would displease the parent. Through this, limit setting and discipline is done with ease. 3. 5 Non-Compliance vs. Incompetence Child ren whether having ADHD or not may display non-compliance to given rules or instructions and therefore there needs to be effective means of dealing with this problem as early as possible in the life story of the child.The best way to overcome non-compliance is through manipulating and applying different consequences with the most effective being that of negative consequences through different forms of punishment. On the other hand, children who display incompetence for instance in understanding academic concepts in school should be helped through intense skill building and educational training. much(prenominal) children should also be allowed to make choices of what activity they feel they are capable of excelling in. This calls for the parents and teachers to be highly observant and assist the children to make the appropriate choices.This will eliminate the put thoughts in such children that they are incapable(p) of performing which is a source of depression and hopelessness w hich creates more defiant behavior. Instead of hastening to use medicine with the notion that ADHD has clipped in, such practical approaches are the best since they help avoid the harms associated with using drugs. 4. 0 Conclusion ADHD may be a disorder which is in existence or not but either way, lack of proper use of practical means to ensure sustainable appropriate behavior has resulted in many kids in the US being label ADHD-affected.The consequences of using medication to improve behavior and school performance have only created more problems than solutions which indicate that the right approaches are not yet exploited. Behavioral therapy as opposed to chemotherapy ought to be upheld and strategies like punishment properly used by parents and teachers. Assumptions that all behavioral problems emanate from a intellectual disorder should not be made. References Curtis, J. (2008). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder What It Is and Who Is Affected. Retrieved July 22, 2010, f rom http//www. health. com/health/condition-article/0,,20251884,00. hypertext mark-up language Goldstein, S.(1999). The Facts About ADHD. Retrieved July 22, 2010, from http//www. samgoldstein. com/node/21 kidscoinsproductions. com. (n. d). shrewd a Behavioural Modification Program. Retrieved July 22, 2010, from http//www. kidscoinsproductions. com/ look/Behavioural_mgt. htm nimh. nih. gov. (2009). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Retrieved July 22, 2010, from http//www. nimh. nih. gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/complete-index. shypertext markup language Rabiner, D. (2009). Behavioral Treatment for ADHD An Overview. Retrieved July 22, 2010, from http//www. athealth. com/Consumer/farticles/Rabiner. html