Three general conditions and their applications

Alternative Treatment Educational Course for Parents of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):

Three general conditions that guarantee clear and credible reports in the alternative treatment of ADHD

The customary course of treatment for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in a child is drug treatment, usually through the administration of a stimulant medication such as Adderall. However, alternative and complementary treatments do exist for families who wish to explore additional and alternative forms of addressing their child's impulsivity, anger issues, and hyperactivity. Even for parents who elect to use drug treatment, using stimulants in consort with non-drug therapies may enhance their overall success rate of managing the child's difficulties.

Setting goals

For impulsivity, cognitive or behavioral-modification therapy is often useful. Cognitive therapy is designed to help children 'think first,' and then act, through role-playing and anticipating certain situations. Children are asked about 'what if' scenarios, and asked to evaluate consequences. In generating a report on its efficacy, noting that the child has stopped or mitigated his or her use of certain behaviors, such as showing a lack of respect for others in speech and action or showing a lack of thoughtfulness when completing assignments is possible. Students may be 'graded' upon turning homework assignments, completing chores, or other tasks are set for the upcoming therapy session that the child must complete on a regular, scheduled basis (Non-drug therapies for ADHD, 2005, Mental Health Matters).

Setting boundaries

For children with anger issues, anger management therapy can be useful. Children can be taught simple skills like learning to count to ten before they react when they feel angry, being taught to leave the room, take a walk, or to say 'I am angry,' rather than act with violence. Children with ADHD are often bullies, or are bullied, and their inability to socialize with children in a positive fashion is often one of the reasons they experience social difficulties in school. Clear boundaries must be set for the child as to what is acceptable or unacceptable behavior. Older and more verbal children may be able to 'talk out' some of their anger issues with a counselor, and the counselor can probe as to why the child feels angry (Non-drug therapies for ADHD, 2005, Mental Health Matters).

Creating a new way of relating to the world for the child