The Best Treatment For Children With Adhd - 1191 Words

Introduction What is the best treatment for children with ADHD? It is a question that concerns both researchers and practitioners alike. Although research supports the effectiveness of stimulants (Van der Oord, Prins, Oosterlaan, Emmelkamp, 2008) there are growing concerns about the rare yet serious side effects of these and other ADHD medications (Kubiszyn, 2006). It has generally been agreed in past studies that only two treatments have been validated as effective short-term treatment for school-aged children with ADHD: psychosocial treatments (behavioural or cognitive-behavioural treatments), stimulant treatments – the most common medication being methylphenidate (MPH; Barkley, 2006) and the combination of both (Kutcher et al.,†¦show more content†¦While behavioural techniques might not be sufficient alone, the argument being debated is that behavioural intervention should only be involved in the treatment of ADHD and medication should not be needed. Affirmative Since the 1970s, a large number of studies have shown that behavioural interventions including clinical behaviour therapy and contingency management techniques are well-established alternatives to stimulants, being comparable to low to moderate doses of stimulant medication (Pelham et al., 1998). Pharmacological treatments have been the most widely used and recommended treatment in the past 30 years but despite their beneficial effects on ADHD patients; there are limitations when it comes to their clinical effectiveness. Past studies on MPH have shown that the effects are more focused on the core symptoms of ADHD (hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity) and the effects are less pronounced on improving long-term academic achievements and peer relationships (Conners 2002; Hoza et al., 2005). Considering these limitations, there is still a need to examine the benefits of psychosocial treatments. There are four categories in which psychosocial treatments can be divided into (Pelham et al., 1998); clinical behaviour therapy (e.g., behavioural parent training), direct contingency management (e.g., behavioural