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THE 9 BEST TREATMENTS FOR CHILDREN AND

ADULTS WITH ADHD
The research is clear: ADHD medication paired with behavioral
therapy is the most effective treatment for attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children — particularly those who
also exhibit oppositional behavior. This finding comes from the
National Institute of Mental Health and its landmark Multimodal
Treatment Study of Children with ADHD, and is reinforced by the
American Academy of Pediatrics. But the power of therapy for ADHD
does not diminish with the age of the patient. Many
children and adults use ADHD therapy to teach behavioral, social,
and academic skills that may help manage ADHD symptoms
throughout life.
Consult with a mental-health professional to help determine what
type of ADHD therapy is best suited for you or your child, and use
the overview below to understand the 9 most popular therapies for
ADHD.
ADHD Therapy #1: Behavioral Therapy for
Children
Behavioral therapy addresses problem behaviors common among
children with ADHD by structuring time at home, establishing
predictability and routines, and increasing positive attention. A good
behavioral therapy plan begins with common-sense parenting,
according to William Pelham, Jr., Ph.D., director of the Center for
Children and Families at the State University of New York at Buffalo.
ADHD behavioral therapy plans should do the following:
 Reinforce good behavior with a reward system.
 Discourage negative behavior by ignoring it.
 Take away a privilege if the negative behavior is too serious
to ignore.
 Remove common triggers of bad behavior.
Thomas E. Brown, Ph.D., author of A New Understanding of ADHD in
Children and Adults, cautions that “The benefits a child receives
from behavioral treatment are strongly influenced by the ability of
the parent to consistently implement the program plan.”
Fortunately, a variety of credible Parent Training Programs teach
strategies to encourage positive behavior from a child and
strengthen the parent-child relationship.
ADHD Therapy #2: Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy for Adults
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is essentially brain training for
ADHD. It is a short-term, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy that
aims to change negative patterns of thinking and reframe the way a
patient feels about herself and her symptoms of ADHD.
CBT does not treat the core symptoms of ADHD: inattention,
hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Rather, it helps lessen the life
impairments experienced by people with ADHD, such as
procrastination and time management. There’s no evidence that
CBT can replace drug therapy for ADHD, or even permit lower
dosages, but research does suggest that it helps adults with ADHD
more than do other forms of therapy. A 2010 study by Boston’s
Massachusetts General Hospital found that a combination of drug
therapy and CBT was more effective at controlling ADHD symptoms
than was drug therapy alone.
An effective CBT program will help adults with ADHD correct the
following distorted thought processes and more:
 All-or-nothing thinking — viewing everything as entirely
good or entirely bad: If you don’t do something perfectly,
you’ve failed.
 Overgeneralization — seeing a single negative event as
part of a pattern: For example, you always forget to pay
your bills.
 Mind reading — thinking you know what people think
about you or something you’ve done — and it’s bad.
 Fortune telling — forecasting that things will turn out
badly.
 Magnification and minimization — exaggerating the
significance of minor problems while trivializing your
accomplishments.
 “Should” statements — focusing on how
things should be, leading to severe self-criticism as well as
feelings of resentment toward others.
  Comparative thinking — measuring yourself against
others and feeling inferior, even though the comparison may
be unrealistic.
ADHD Therapy #3: Dialectical Behavior
Therapy for Adults
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), like CBT, focuses on the social
and emotional challenges associated with ADHD and other neuro-
psychological disorders. Created by Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., ABPP, a
professor of psychology at the University of Washington and founder
of The Linehan Institute, DBT was initially designed to treat the
harmful behaviors of patients diagnosed with borderline personality
disorder (BPD). It is now one of the most successful treatments for
improving emotional regulation skills. DBT is taught in a series of
skill-based modules in weekly group sessions — each one focused
on a particular skill. Individual therapists provide additional support
to personalize the use of these skills in life situations.
ADHD Therapy #4: ADHD Coaching
ADHD coaches help children, teens, and adults with ADHD organize
and take charge of their lives. More specifically, coaches can help
their clients achieve emotional/intellectual growth, strong social
skills, effective learning strategies, compelling career and business
exploration, and thoughtful financial planning.
A professionally trained ADHD coach can realistically assist his or
her ADHD clients in building skills like:
 Time, task, and space management
 Motivation and follow-through
 Developing systems for success
 Healthy communications and relationships
 Strategic planning and perspective
 Making conscious & wise choices
  A simplified and more orderly life
 Achieving a balanced, healthy lifestyle
One of the best ways to find an ADHD coach is through the ADHD
Coaches Organization (ACO). This worldwide professional
membership organization offers resources for coaches and those
who seek them alike.
ADHD Therapy #5: Brain Training or
Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback uses brain exercises to reduce impulsivity and
increase attentiveness in children and adults with ADHD. By training
the brain to emit brain-wave patterns associated with focus, as
opposed to those associated with day-dreaming, neurofeedback
helps to rein in ADHD symptoms like impulsivity, distractibility, and
acting out.
Typically, neurofeedback patients wear an electrode-lined cap while
performing a complex cognitive task, such as reading aloud. A
computer reads the brain activity then maps the areas of the brain
where there is too much or too little brain-wave activity – the
theoretical sources of the patient’s ADHD symptoms.
Critics argue that neurofeedback has not been rigorously studied in
any large, double-blind studies and that, though some patients
report improvements in attention, it has little effect on other
problems associated with ADHD. Others have observed large
improvements in neurofeedback patients.
ADHD Therapy #6: Play Therapy
Play therapy is used to help children with ADHD connect, learn,
provide reassurance, calm anxiety, and improve self-esteem. Play is
an indirect way for therapists to recast children’s perceptions,
cognitions, and behaviors. As Carol Brady, Ph.D., a child
psychologist practicing in Houston, says: “Children communicate
metaphorically through play. As a therapeutic tool, it’s like giving a
sweet pill instead of a bitter one.” Playing with a young child is
essential for her to feel connected, secure, and attached.
ADHD Therapy #7: Music Therapy
For patients with ADHD, music therapy bolsters attention and focus,
reduces hyperactivity, and strengthens social skills in three ways:
 Music Provides Structure. Music is rhythm, rhythm is
structure, and structure is soothing to an ADHD brain
struggling to regulate itself to stay on a linear path.
 Music Fires Up Synapses. Research shows that
pleasurable music increases dopamine levels in the brain.
This neurotransmitter — responsible for regulating attention,
working memory, and motivation — is in low supply in ADHD
brains.
 Music is Social. “Think of an orchestra,” says Tomaino, a
30-year veteran in music therapy. “If one instrument is
missing, you can’t play the piece. All ‘voices’ are necessary.”
ADHD Therapy #8: Art Therapy
Art therapy helps children and adults with ADHD and other
neuropsychological disorders who communicate their thoughts more
easily through visual images and art making than they do with
written or spoken words. Art therapy can be especially effective for
active, busy children with ADHD, as it keeps their hands moving and
triggers an acute mental and emotional focus not always achieved
in talk therapy.
Children with ADHD use art therapy because the processes of
drawing, painting, and sculpting can help address emotional
problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce
stress, and increase self-awareness. Through art therapy, children
with ADHD can build mental flexibility, problem-solving skills, and
communication skills as they explain what they made to a parent or
friend. Art also allows for organic moments of positive social
interactions, like sharing materials, making compliments, or even
making suggestions.
ADHD Therapy #9: Equine Therapy
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is an experiential ADHD
therapy in which clients interact with horses — with the guidance of
a specially trained mental-health professional and an equine
specialist — instead of talking about their problems.
Natural Lifemanship is one model of EAP that is effective for treating
ADHD. It is a trauma-informed approach based on neuroscience and
the role of healthy, connected relationships. Clients learn to regulate
their body energy and pick up on non-verbal cues to build a
relationship with a horse. The horse provides immediate feedback to
the client’s actions as other humans can’t or won’t do.
Here at Neurohealth Associates we specialize in Neurofeedback
treatments. Neurofeedback may be helpful if you have unwanted
mood swings, problems sleeping, anger management issues,
motivation, or poor self-esteem. The easy, noninvasive treatment
can painlessly improve your mental health condition and outlook on
life.
Schedule a consultation with NeuroHealth today and find out how
we can help you.
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mapping, Children, clinical research, EEG
Biofeedback, EFD, emotions, executive function, kids, mental
health, motivation, neurofeedback, self development, symptoms

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ADHD Medications for Children and Adults

ADHD and School: How to Help a Child with ADHD in School

ADHD Parenting Tips: How to Help a Child with ADHD

ADHD in Women: Symptoms, Treatment, and Support

ADHD in Adults: Symptoms, Effects, and Self-Help

Tips for Managing Adult ADHD

Teaching Students with ADHD

Adult ADHD and Relationships

Online Therapy: Is it Right for You?

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Tips for supporting your child's ADHD treatment

ADHD
ADHD Treatment for Children

Think medication is the only treatment for attention deficit

hyperactivity disorder? Learn about all the effective ADHD
treatments for kids and how you can best help your child.

By Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. and Melinda Smith, M.A., Reviewed by

Tatiana Rivera Cruz, LICSW

What are ADHD treatment options for kids?

ADHD treatment for kids isn’t just about taking medication. There
are many other effective treatments that can help children with
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD) improve their
ability to pay attention, control impulsive behavior, and curb
hyperactivity.

Nutritious meals, play and exercise, learning new coping skills, and
improving social skills are all part of a balanced treatment plan that
can improve your child’s performance at school, bolster their
relationships with others, and decrease stress and frustration—for
them and for your whole family.

ADHD medication for kids

Stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall are often prescribed for

ADHD, but they might not be the best option for your child—and
they’re certainly not the only treatment.
ADHD medications may help your child concentrate better or sit still,
at least in the short term. But to date, there is little evidence that
they improve school achievement, relationships, or behavioral
issues over the long term. And even in the short term, medication
won’t solve all problems or completely eliminate the symptoms of
ADHD.

Furthermore, there are concerns about the effects these powerful

drugs may have on a child’s developing brain. And the side effects—
such as irritability, loss of appetite, and insomnia—can also be
problematic.

The bottom line: medication is a tool, not a cure.

Everyone responds differently to ADHD medication. Some children

experience dramatic improvement while others experience little to
no relief. The side effects also differ from child to child and, for
some, they far outweigh the benefits. Because everyone responds
differently, finding the right medication and dose takes time.

Medication for ADHD is more effective when combined with other

treatments. Your child will get much more out of your medication if
they are also taking advantage of other treatments that teach new
coping skills.

ADHD medication should always be closely monitored. Medication

treatment for ADHD involves more than just taking a pill and
forgetting about it. Your child’s doctor will need to monitor side
effects, keep tabs on how your child is feeling, and adjust the
dosage accordingly. When medication for ADHD is not carefully
monitored, it is less effective and more risky.

If you choose to put your child on medication, that doesn’t mean

they have to stay on it forever. Although it isn’t safe to bounce off
and on any drug repeatedly, you can safely decide to stop treating
your child’s ADHD with medication if things aren’t going well. If you
want your child to stop taking medication, be sure to let your doctor
know your plans and work with them to taper off the drugs slowly.

ADHD treatment for children starts at home

As a parent, you have a huge influence over your child’s treatment.

Evidence shows that eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of
exercise, and making other smart daily choices can help your child
manage the symptoms of ADHD. That means your child can begin
treatment for ADHD today—at home.

The power of exercise in ADHD treatment

Exercising is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce

the symptoms of ADHD. Physical activity immediately boosts the
brain’s dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels—all of which
affect focus and attention. In this way, exercise and medications for
ADHD such as Ritalin and Adderall work similarly. But unlike ADHD
medication, exercise doesn’t require a prescription and it’s free of
side effects.
Activities that require close attention to body movements, such as
dance, gymnastics, martial arts, yoga, wrestling, and skateboarding,
are particularly good for kids with ADHD. Team sports are also a
good choice. The social element keeps them interesting.

The benefits of “green time”

Studies show that spending time in nature can reduce the symptoms
of ADHD in children. Encourage your child to play outside for at least
30 minutes each day, if possible. You can get involved in the outdoor
activity if you want to provide them with a structured experience.
For example, you can go to a local park and set up a scavenger hunt
for them to complete. This allows them to direct all of that energy
toward a task-oriented activity.

Time in nature can also include time spent with animals. Some
studies show that horseback riding can be a therapeutic activity for
children with ADHD. It might help improve self-esteem as well as
executive function, which involves planning, prioritizing tasks, and
practicing self-control.

The importance of sleep in ADHD treatment for kids

Regular quality sleep can lead to vast improvement in the symptoms

of ADHD. However, many kids with ADHD have problems getting to
sleep at night. Sometimes, these sleep difficulties are due to
stimulant medications, and decreasing the dose or stopping the
medication entirely will solve the problem.
However, a large percentage of children with ADHD who are not
taking stimulants also have sleep difficulties. If your child is one of
them, the following tips can help.

Set a regular bedtime (and enforce it).

If background noise keeps your child up, try a sound machine or a

fan.

Turn off all electronics (TV, computer, video games, iPhone) at least
an hour before bed.

Limit physical activity in the evening.

Good nutrition can help reduce ADHD symptoms in kids

Studies show that what, and when, you eat makes a difference when
it comes to managing ADHD.

Schedule regular meals or snacks no more than three hours apart.

This will help keep your child’s blood sugar steady, minimizing
irritability and supporting concentration and focus.

Try to include a little protein and complex carbohydrates at each

meal or snack. These foods will help your child feel more alert while
decreasing hyperactivity.

Check your child’s zinc, iron, and magnesium levels. Many children
with ADHD are low in these important minerals. Boosting their levels
may help control ADHD symptoms. Increasing iron may be
particularly helpful. One study found that an iron supplement
improved symptoms almost as much as taking stimulant
medication.

Add more omega-3 fatty acids to your child’s diet. Studies show that
omega-3s reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and enhance
concentration in kids (and adults) with ADHD. Omega-3s are found
in salmon, tuna, sardines, and some fortified eggs and milk
products. However, the easiest way to boost your child’s intake is
through fish oil supplements.

Other supplements that may also help include:

Bacopa appears to reduce ADHD symptoms like restlessness,

impulsivity, and inattentiveness.

Taurine, in some studies, appears to reduce hyperactivity.

Ginkgo biloba could potentially be used to improve attentiveness.

Magnesium supplements may reduce inattentiveness and

hyperactivity if your child has a deficiency in the mineral.

Phosphatidylserine supplements might improve attentiveness in

children with ADHD, although more research is warranted.

Alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (alpha-GPC) might be useful in

boosting motivation and improving memory, areas in which children
with ADHD may struggle.
L–DOPA, or levodopa, may have a short-term effect in reducing
hyperactivity, although some research finds it ineffective for ADHD.

Practice caution when using supplements. Some of them may come

with side effects, so check with your child’s doctor first.

Professional ADHD treatment for kids

Although there are many ways you can help a child with ADHD at
home, you may want to seek professional help along the way. ADHD
specialists can help you develop an effective treatment plan for your
child. Since ADHD responds best to a combination of treatments and
strategies, consulting several specialists is advisable.

To find ADHD treatment providers, you may want to contact your

primary care physician, your child’s pediatrician, local hospitals, or
clinics. Other sources for provider references include your insurance
company, officials at your child’s school, or a local parent support
group.

Child and adolescent psychiatrists:

Diagnose ADHD and prescribe medications.

Psychologists:

Diagnose ADHD and provide talk therapy.

Help people with ADHD explore their feelings.

Cognitive-behavioral therapists:

Set up behavioral modification programs at school, work, and home.

Establish concrete goals for behavior and achievement.

Help families and teachers maintain rewards and consequences.

Educational specialists:

Teach techniques for succeeding in school with ADHD.

Help children obtain accommodations from school.

Advise families about assistive technology.

Behavioral therapy for ADHD

Behavioral therapy, also known as behavior modification, has been

shown to be a very successful ADHD treatment for children. It is
especially beneficial as a co-treatment for children who take
stimulant medications and may even allow you to reduce the dosage
of the medication.

Behavior therapy involves reinforcing desired behaviors through

rewards and praise and decreasing problem behaviors by setting
limits and consequences. For example, one intervention might be
that a teacher rewards a child who has ADHD for taking small steps
toward raising a hand before talking in class, even if the child still
blurts out a comment. The theory is that rewarding the struggle
toward change encourages the full new behavior.
Behavior therapy for ADHD in children

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there are three

basic principles to any behavior therapy approach:

Set specific goals. Set clear goals for your child such as staying
focused on homework for a certain time or sharing toys with friends.

Provide rewards and consequences. Give your child a specified

reward (positive reinforcement) when he or she shows the desired
behavior. Give your child a consequence (unwanted result or
punishment) when he or she fails to meet a goal.

Keep using the rewards and consequences. Using the rewards and
consequences consistently for a long time will shape your child’s
behavior in a positive way.

As parents, you can set up a customized behavioral modification

program for your child who has ADHD with the help of a behavioral
specialist such as a cognitive-behavioral therapist. A cognitive-
behavioral therapist focuses on practical solutions to everyday
issues. This kind of therapist can set up a behavioral modification
program of rewards and consequences for your child at home and at
school and support you in shaping your child’s behavior.

Patience is key with behavioral therapy, since people with ADHD are
notoriously variable in their symptoms. One day, your child may
behave beautifully, and the next, fall back into old patterns.
Sometimes it may seem as if the training is not working. However,
over time, behavioral treatment does improve the symptoms of
ADHD.
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Social skills training

Because kids with attention deficit disorder often have difficulty with
simple social interactions and struggle with low self-esteem, another
type of treatment that can help is social skills training. Normally
conducted in a group setting, social skills training is led by a
therapist who demonstrates appropriate behaviors and then has the
children practice repeating them. A social skills group teaches
children how to “read” others’ reactions and how to behave more
acceptably. The social skills group should also work on transferring
these new skills to the real world.

For a social skills group near you, ask for a referral from your school
psychologist or a local mental health clinic.

Tips for supporting your child’s ADHD treatment

Children with ADHD often have trouble translating what they’ve
learned from one setting to another. For instance, they may have
learned how to control impulsive outbursts at school, but impatiently
interrupt others at home.

In order to encourage positive change in all settings, children with

ADHD need consistency. It is important that parents of children with
ADHD learn how to apply behavioral therapy techniques at home.
Children with ADHD are more likely to succeed in completing tasks
when the tasks occur in predictable patterns and in predictable
places, so that they know what to expect and what they are
supposed to do.

Follow a routine. It is important to set a time and a place for

everything to help a child with ADHD understand and meet
expectations. Establish simple and predictable rituals for meals,
homework, play, and bed.

Use clocks and timers. Consider placing clocks throughout the

house, with a big one in your child’s bedroom. Allow plenty of time
for what your child needs to do, such as homework or getting ready
in the morning.

Simplify your child’s schedule. Avoiding idle time is a good idea, but
a child with ADHD may become even more distracted and “wound
up” if there are too many after-school activities.
Create a quiet place. Make sure your child has a quiet, private space
of his or her own. A porch or bedroom can work well—as long as it’s
not the same place as the child goes for a time-out.

Set an example for good organization. Set up your home in an

organized way. Make sure your child knows that everything has its
place. Role-model neatness and organization as much as possible.

The importance of praise

As you establish a consistent structure and routine, keep in mind

that children with ADHD often receive criticism. Be on the lookout
for good behavior—and praise it. Praise is especially important for
children who have ADHD because they typically get so little of it. A
smile, positive comment, or other reward from you can improve your
child’s attention, concentration, and impulse control. Do your best to
focus on giving positive praise for appropriate behavior and task
completion, while giving as few negative responses as possible to
inappropriate behavior or poor task performance. Reward your child
for small achievements—these will lead to bigger successes down
the road.

Last updated or reviewed on August 21, 2024

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ADHD in children and young people

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a condition where the brain works
differently to most people. Children and young people with ADHD may have trouble with
things like concentrating and sitting still. There are ways to help manage the symptoms
of ADHD.

Information:

There is separate information about ADHD in adults.

Symptoms of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

Symptoms of ADHD usually start before the age of 12. They involve a person’s ability to
pay attention to things (being inattentive), having high energy levels (being hyperactive)
and their ability to control their impulses (being impulsive).

A child or young person may show signs of being inattentive, such as:

 being easily distracted

 finding it hard to listen to what people are saying or to follow instructions
 forgetting everyday tasks, like brushing their teeth or putting on socks
They may show signs of being hyperactive and impulsive, including:

 having high energy levels

 fidgeting or tapping their hands and feet
 talking noisily
 feeling restless, or getting up and moving around when they’re supposed to sit still
 finding it hard to wait their turn, or interrupting conversations
Most children and young people with ADHD have symptoms of both the inattentive and
hyperactive-impulsive type. Some only show signs of one type.

ADHD is thought to be recognised less often in girls than boys. This may be because
girls with ADHD more commonly have inattentive symptoms and these can be harder to
recognise.

Information:
Many children are easily distracted, impulsive and have high energy levels, particularly
if they’re under the age of 5. This does not mean they have ADHD. It could be a sign of
something else, like being tired, anxious or stressed.
Getting help for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

If you’re worried that ADHD may be affecting your child, talk to one of their teachers. An
older child or teenager may choose to speak to a teacher themselves.

The teacher will usually make a referral to the school’s special educational needs co-
ordinator (SENCO).

The SENCO can discuss support in the classroom or with homework, or help with
building confidence and friendships.

If you're still worried or you think your child needs additional support, you may want to
make an appointment with a GP.

At the GP appointment, the doctor will ask about the child or young person’s symptoms
and how these affect their life. They may consider other conditions that could cause
these symptoms, such as autism, Tourette's or anxiety.

People with ADHD may often have other conditions too, such as depression, anxiety or
addictions, or a learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

The GP or SENCO may recommend support groups or training for parents in your area.

Asking for an ADHD assessment

If support at home and at school is not helping your child, you may want to ask for an
ADHD assessment. Speak to a GP or SENCO to request a referral for an ADHD
assessment.

While waiting for a referral or assessment, the child or young person should continue to
get support at home and in school. You can also contact your local council for advice,
and to ask if there’s a family hub in your area.

Family hubs support children and young people aged 0 to 19 (and up to 25 for people
with special educational needs or a disability).

What happens at an ADHD assessment

The assessment will be with one or more ADHD specialists, such as a paediatrician, or
a child and adolescent psychiatrist.

The specialist will talk with you and your child to find out more about any symptoms,
and about family life. They’ll also ask about your child’s development, such as how old
they were when they learned to do things like walking or reading.
There may be some forms to fill in before the appointment or as part of the assessment.

The ADHD specialist will usually contact a SENCO or teacher, or both, to see how your
child is doing at school.

They may also ask your child to do a computer-based test to help assess their
symptoms.

If your child is diagnosed with ADHD, the specialist will discuss what this means and
what happens next, including what treatment and support may be available.

Information:

Waiting times for ADHD assessments

Waiting times vary and your child may have to wait several months or years for an
ADHD assessment.

You may be able to find a clinic with shorter waiting lists through your GP using the
Right to Choose scheme. Read about Right to Choose and your choices in the NHS.

You can ask for an NHS appointment at any clinic, including a private clinic, if it
provides ADHD services for the NHS in England.

Find out more about diagnosis pathways for children on the ADHD UK website.
How to manage ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

There are different ways to support a child or young person with ADHD, including
lifestyle changes, changes at school and at home, or medicines.

It depends on their symptoms, and not every child needs help or support from a health
professional.

Talk to a SENCO (special educational needs coordinator), or a school nurse where

available, about changes that could help a child or young person.

Finding out more about ADHD can also help parents, children and young people better
understand the condition.

If your child or teenager has been referred to an ADHD service, a specialist will be able
to give you more information and advice about how to help them.

Lifestyle

There are things you can do to help support a child or young person with their ADHD
symptoms.
Do
 Make time for physical activities they enjoy, as exercise is a good focus for their
energy.
 Encourage them to get regular sleep. The Royal College of Psychiatrists website
has advice on dealing with sleep problems.
 Help them to have a healthy, balanced diet and regular mealtimes.
 If some foods and drinks seem to affect their symptoms, keep a food and drink
diary to see what these are. You can share this information with their school.
Support at school and at home

Discuss with a SENCO what adjustments or support may help at home and school.

This may include:

 splitting up tasks, like doing homework or sitting down to eat, into 15 to 20 minute slots
with a break in between each slot
 giving clear and simple instructions one at a time in a calm voice
 writing a to-do list and putting it somewhere easy to see
 giving praise when a child or young person does well, or making a reward chart
Medicine

ADHD medicines must be started and monitored by an ADHD specialist. This includes:

 medicine to help with ADHD symptoms, such as methylphenidate

 melatonin for problems sleeping, when other methods for improving sleep have not
worked
Children and teenagers may need to try more than one medicine to find out what works
for them.

A GP may be able to take over prescribing ADHD medicines, but only if there is a
“shared care agreement” between the GP and the ADHD specialist. To find out more,
talk to your ADHD specialist or GP. Not everyone with ADHD needs to or wants to take
medicine.

Talking therapies

Talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) might be recommended

to help a child or young person with ADHD with problem solving and expressing their
feelings.

ADHD and mental health

People with ADHD may be more likely to have mental health issues, such as anxiety or
depression.

They are also at higher risk of suicide.

If you're concerned about a child or young person, help and support is available right
now if they need it. They do not have to struggle with difficult feelings alone.

Find out about mental health support for children and young people

What causes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

The cause of ADHD is not always known. ADHD may be caused by genetic differences
and often runs in families.

There are several other things linked to ADHD, including being born premature (before
37 weeks of pregnancy), having epilepsy, a brain injury or being autistic.

Some people with ADHD call themselves neurodivergent. Neurodiversity describes the
range of different ways our brains work.

Help and support for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

If your child or teenager has ADHD, there are ways you can help them manage their
symptoms with support from their school or a doctor.

There are ADHD support groups locally and online.

There are also a number of organisations and charities that offer information and
support about ADHD.

ADHD UK

Information and support for anyone affected by ADHD.

 Website: www.adhduk.co.uk
 Support groups (ADHD UK)
ADHD Foundation

Information for anyone affected by a neurodivergent condition, including ADHD.

 Website: www.adhdfoundation.org.uk
 Resource hub (ADHD Foundation)
ADHD Adult UK

Information and peer support for parents of children with ADHD, and for adults with
ADHD.

 Website: www.adhdadult.uk
 Parenting a child with ADHD (ADHD Adult UK, PDF only, 264KB)
Young Minds

Mental health support for young people.

 Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
 Support for young people (Young Minds)
 Support for parents (Young Minds)
AADD-UK

Charity which lists support groups across the UK, including groups for adults, parents
and carers.

 Support groups (AADD-UK)

Treating Children's Mental Health with Therapy

KEY POINTS

 Getting help for a child's mental health problems early can

help children reduce problems at home, in school, and in
forming friendships.

 The first step to treatment is to talk with your child's primary

care provider, or a mental health specialist, about getting an
evaluation.

 A mental health professional can develop a therapy plan that

works best for the child and family.
Overview
Get help now
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or
text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
See available help and support resources here.

A public health approach to children's mental health includes promoting

mental health for all children, providing preventive intervention to children at
risk, and providing treatment for children with identified disorders.

Mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders in childhood can cause long-

term problems that may affect the health and well-being of children,
families, and communities. Treating a child's mental health problems as soon
as possible can help children reduce problems at home, in school, and in
forming friendships. It can also help with healthy development into
adulthood.

Psychological therapy is a key component to improving mental health.

Depending on the type and severity of the problem, psychological therapy
for children may be used in combination with medication.

A brief overview of therapy

Psychological therapy is meant to treat a mental health condition or help a
child manage their symptoms so that they can function well at home, in
school, and in their community.

When children are young, it is common for therapy to include the parents or
caregivers. Sometimes therapists work with the parents or caregivers alone.
Older children may meet with a therapist alone as well. Some types of
therapy include working with the whole family or other important adults in
the child's life (for example, a teacher).

Parent-focused approaches typically mean that parents talk with the

therapist about the child's behavior and feelings. Psychological therapy with
children can include talking, playing, or other activities to help the child
express feelings and thoughts. Therapists may also observe parents and
caregivers and children together and then make suggestions for finding
different ways to react.

Psychological therapy for children can be done one-on-one or in groups.

Sometimes, a combination of therapies and treatment approaches is the
most effective approach for helping a child.

Evidence-based therapies
Behavior therapy
Behavior therapy teaches children and their families how to strengthen
positive child behaviors and eliminate or reduce unwanted or problem
behaviors.
One type is parent training in behavior management.

 The therapist works with parents or caregivers to strengthen

the nurturing relationship between parents and children and
learn or improve skills to manage their child's behavior.
 Parents or caregivers are encouraged to practice skills with
their child.
 Teachers can also be trained in behavior management to help
the child at their childcare center or school.

With older children or adolescents, the therapist usually can also work
directly with the child to teach skills and address mental health needs.
Parents or caregivers should still be involved to support and strengthen the
skills their child is learning and strengthen parent-youth relationships.

Cognitive-behavior therapy
Cognitive-behavior therapy focuses on changing the thoughts and emotions
that can affect a child's behavior negatively.

 The therapist helps the child become aware of their thoughts

and feelings.
 The therapist also helps the child evaluate if feelings or
thoughts may be distorted or illogical, and then helps the child
through the process of changing the thoughts as well as the
emotional reactions and behaviors that go along with them.
 Cognitive-behavior therapy can involve working directly with
the child as well as working with caregivers and children
together.
 Even when a therapist works with a child or adolescent
directly, it is important for parents or caregivers to be involved
and providing support to the therapeutic relationship.
 Engagement of parents and other caregivers is important for
treatment at all ages, but the nature of parent involvement will
likely differ depending on the developmental age of the child or
adolescent.

Finding the right therapy for your child

For the most common childhood conditions, like behavior disorders, anxiety,
or depression, approaches using behavior therapy and cognitive-behavior
therapy are more likely to reduce symptoms than other therapy approaches.

Based on the scientific evidence available, different therapies seem to work

well for different types of problems.
Parent training in behavior management works well for disruptive behavior
disorders, including oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder. Child
behavior therapy also works well for disruptive behavior disorders.

Spotlight
Behavior therapy is also an effective treatment for attention-deficit / hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD). Learn more about behavior therapy, what to look for in a therapist,
what to expect, and additional resources.

Cognitive-behavior therapy works well for conditions such as:

 Disruptive behavior disorders

 Depression
 Anxiety disorders
 Obsessive-compulsive disorder
 Eating disorders such as anorexia bulimia
 Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Additional types of therapy can be effective for adolescents.

 Adolescents with disruptive behavior disorders may respond

well to family therapy, an approach that includes multiple
members of the family and focuses on learning better
communication skills and ways to settle conflicts.
 Adolescents with depression may respond well to interpersonal
psychotherapy, an approach in which the therapists help the
adolescents learn ways to handle relationship problems.

Other therapy approaches may also be effective but have not been studied
enough for researchers to understand if they work well. Information on what
works best for which family is also still limited.

See Also:Evidence-based Therapies

Finding support
Therapy is most effective if it fits the needs of the specific child and family. A
helpful first step is for families to think of what questions or problems they
are seeking help for. When contacting mental health providers to seek care,
many will ask parents or caregivers to briefly explain what they are looking
for help to address.

Families can seek out referrals for a mental health provider through multiple
avenues, including the child's school, a primary care provider, or through
health insurance. They can also ask for advice from trusted family or friends
who may have some experience with providers in the local area.

Some families may choose to talk to a pediatrician or other healthcare

provider as a first step.

 Sometimes, health problems such as poor sleep, difficulty

hearing, or learning problems can cause behavioral or
emotional symptoms, or make them worse.
 A provider or pediatrician may want to find out if your child has
any health problems before referring your child for therapy.
Before starting therapy, a mental health provider typically
conducts a comprehensive evaluation of your child's mental
health to figure out what type of therapy might work best.
 To find a pediatrician near you, visit HealthyChildren.org, a
service of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) practice
organization.
If you need insurance coverage, learn more about enrolling in Medicaid,
Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or a Marketplace plan
at HealthCare.gov. If your child does not qualify for insurance coverage, you
can get low-cost health care at a nearby community health center.
Mental health specialists
Here are additional tools to help find a healthcare provider familiar with
treatment options:

Psychologist Locator, a service of the American Psychological

Association (APA) Practice Organization.
 Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Finder , a research tool by the
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
(AACAP).
 Find a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist , a search tool by the
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies.
 American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Locator
 American Board of Professional Psychology Locator
 If you need help finding treatment facilities for mental and
substance use, visit FindTreatment.gov.
 Hospital and University Related ADHD Centers
 National Association of Social Workers
Resources
 Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation (aacap.org) - American
Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) fact sheet
  Evidence-based Therapies - Effective Child Therapy - Society of
Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology
 Children and Mental Health: Is This Just a Stage? - National
Institute of Mental Health
 CDC's Treatment of ADHD
 CDC's Mental Health Homepage

ON THIS PAGE

 Overview
 Evidence-based therapies
 Finding the right therapy for your child
 Finding support
 Resources

Data and Statistics on Children's Mental Health

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