Mini-Script with Tonya’s Parents

Counselor: What are some of your concerns about Tonya’s diagnosis of ADHD?

Parent: We are mainly concerned about putting her on drugs. I heard the medications they are giving children are basically speed.

Counselor: You are right to be concerned about the use of ADHD medications, and I advocate a cautionary approach to pharmaceutical interventions. This is especially true in Tonya’s case, since she is ten years old and her brain is still developing. Tonya seems to be well-adjusted, motivated, and has a good attitude so there is no reason why we cannot first explore a wide range of treatment options to help her address the difficulties she is having in terms of remaining focused. Are you aware of some of the counseling options available, which we can try first?

Parent: I’m aware of a few but would prefer some insight into which of those options is best for Tonya and which are most affordable, too. Also, how do we know if medication is necessary? We don’t want to put her on the meds prematurely, but we also want her to get good grades and will do what we can to help.

Counselor: Some behavior therapies do involve your participation in what is known as parent training (CDC, 2020). Are you interested in learning more about what you can do to help Tonya?

Parent: Yes, of course.

Counselor: Great, I will give you more information about behavioral counseling. It mainly involves strategies for communicating with Tonya, as well as valuable parenting and discipline skills that have been proven to work. As long as we start the counseling intervention immediately, I would say that we are doing the best thing for Tonya. Launching into medications without trying counseling alone first would be doing her a great disservice.

References

CDC (2020). Treatment of ADHD. Retrieved: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/treatment.html