Evidence - Based Psychological Treatment for Children with ADHD - ADHD Psychological Treatment for Children

Written by Robert Myers, PhD

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Cognitive Rehabilitation Exercises

Cognitive Rehabilitation Exercises (Brain Training) Can Improve Attention & Concentration as Well as Other Intellectual and Self-Control Functions. Victims of strokes or head injury may have significant impairments in attention and concentration. Cognitive Rehabilitation exercises are often used to help these people to improve their ability to concentrate and pay attention. This approach has been applied to children with attention deficit disorder with some success. The repeated use of simple attentional training exercises can help children to train their brains to concentrate and pay attention for longer periods of time. (16)

Evidence: Writing in Scientific American Gunjan Sinha states, "recent studies support the notion that many children with ADHD have cognitive deficits, specifically in working memory--the ability to hold in mind information that guides behavior. The cognitive problem manifests behaviorally as inattention and contributes to poor academic performance. Such research not only questions the value of medicating ADHD children, it also is redefining the disorder and leading to more meaningful treatment that includes cognitive training." (23) Using computer

training with 7 - 11 year olds, Kerns found that "direct interventions aimed at improving attention may be a valuable treatment option for improving cognitive efficiency in children with ADHD and warrant further investigation." (14) In a training program for working memory, Klingberg found that "working memory can be improved by training in children with ADHD. This training also improves response inhibition and reasoning and resulted in a reduction of the parent-rated inattentive symptoms of ADHD". (16)

Total Focus: The workbook provides a series of cognitive rehab exercises in the form of simple tasks and games designed to improve attention, concentration, memory and executive functioning through repetitive practice. Parents are directed to games and play activities that reinforce the skills as well as to online resources for a wide variety of computer programs to improve these functions.

Summary

Recognizing the need for a methodology to increase access to evidence-based psychological treatment for children, Child Development Institute has produced a multi-media program known as Total Focus that involves the parents and children working together as a team to help the child achieve success at school and enjoy life at home and in the community.

The program is based on 20 years of clinical experience of Child Psychologist, Dr Bob Myers and is produced by a leading publisher of parenting programs. Dr Bob also shares additional insights from his own experience successfully raising a son with ADHD which parents find both comforting and encouraging.

Total Focus is cost effective (less than a three month supply of medication or one visit to a mental health specialist). It is an evidenced-based program using methods supported in the medical and scientific literature. Total Focus is based on psychological treatment strategies recommended by the National Institute of Mental Health.

Complete, easy to follow instructions are provided along with numerous questionnaires, charts and handouts for implementing behavior change programs and monitoring progress. Even telephone coaching by mental health professionals trained by the author of the program is available when desired.

The program can be used instead of medication for children with mild to moderate symptoms or as adjunctive therapy for those taking stimulant medication. The program not only provides parent education and behavior modification but provides psychological interventions that (1) teach coping skills, (2) improve motivation and self-esteem and (3) may address mild to moderate manifestations of possible comorbidity including anxiety, depression and ODD.

next: ADHD Medicines

Bibliography:

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