Is ADHD therapy right for your child?

How can your child get the best ADHD treatment results? Research shows behavioral therapy may help.

Preteen girl talking with therapist

While medications are often the frontline treatment for child ADHD, research shows behavioral therapies, such as counseling, skills-training, and ADHD coaching can also be effective. In some cases, behavioral therapies may be used alone, while in others they may be combined with ADHD medications for better treatment results. Common ADHD behavioral therapies include:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): This powerful therapy can help older children and teens identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors, and curb unwanted behaviors such as disorganization and poor time management. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can also help children and teens with ADHD develop a stronger sense of confidence and empowerment.

Skills training: Skills trainers and behavioral coaches can help kids with ADHD develop helpful life and social skills, such as better organization at home and school, and more effective communication with parents, teachers, and peers. Skills trainers and coaches can also provide instruction and guidance on time management and impulse control. They can even help kids manage stress better.

Individual or family counseling: ADHD can take a toll on a child's emotions and self-esteem. And it can affect everyone in the family as well. A good therapist can help ADHD patients work through their feelings, so they understand and feel better about themselves. A family therapist can help kids with ADHD and their family members—parents, sibling, and others—identify and work through issues related to the challenges of ADHD together.

More On

How to help teens with ADHD succeed in high school

video

How to help teens with ADHD succeed in high school
High school is difficult for any teen to navigate, but a few extra challenges are important for kids with ADHD to address. Pediatrician Tanya Remer Al...
5 benefits of getting treatment for ADHD

article

5 benefits of getting treatment for ADHD
Discover how managing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder can improve several aspects of your life.
7 facts about ADHD all parents should know

slideshow

7 facts about ADHD all parents should know
ADHD can impact a child's school performance. Recognize the signs to help your child thrive.
What Are the Different Types of ADHD Treatment for Children?

video

What Are the Different Types of ADHD Treatment for Children?
While medication is appropriate for some children with ADHD, addiction specialist Dr. Mike Dow says there are several non-drug treatments that can be ...
ADHD lifestyle changes

video

ADHD lifestyle changes
Mehmet Oz, MD, outlines 5 lifestyle changes that support healthy and productive living for children with ADHD.