| While medication has long been used to treat | | | | activities in spite of these shortcomings will be the |
| Attention Deficit Disorder, Behavioral Therapy has | | | | most effective. For example, keeping your child |
| proven to be incredibly effective as well and is | | | | on a schedule is a very effective way to keep |
| now being used in combination with its long utilized | | | | their activities organized. If they wake up at a |
| counterpart. There are many aspects of Behavior | | | | certain time, get dressed, take baths, do |
| Therapy, but the overall purpose is to train the | | | | homework and go to bed at specific times, they |
| individual to improve their behavior and be more | | | | will begin to function out of habit, at which point |
| effective. | | | | forgetfulness and distractibility become less of an |
| There are basically three principles to a behavior | | | | issue. |
| therapy approach: set goals that are specific, | | | | Likewise, organization helps a child with ADD stay |
| provide consequences and rewards, and | | | | focused and reduces key items being misplaced. |
| consistently utilize consequences and rewards. | | | | Have a set place for books, backpacks, clothes, |
| Basically, you should lay specific groundwork for | | | | and toys so your child will react out of habit in |
| acceptable and unacceptable behavior; when either | | | | returning these items. Typically, routines prove to |
| is realized, the consequences, be them positive or | | | | be an effective treatment course for children |
| negative, should be utilized consistently and | | | | with ADD. |
| continually. | | | | You should also be aware of the difficulties your |
| Examples of consequences are time-out, which | | | | child has, such as distractibility. Limit external |
| removes the child from their surroundings for a | | | | stimuli during times when concentration is |
| specific period of time; positive reinforcement, | | | | necessary, such as homework time, or during |
| which rewards positive behavior; or a token | | | | times when attention is necessary, such as |
| reward system; which can be added to or taken | | | | mealtimes. |
| away from depending on behavior. | | | | Help your child stay on task with the use of |
| There are more in-depth behavior modification | | | | checklists, charts, or organizers to track |
| techniques that should be utilized to help you child | | | | responsibilities and monitor progress; as your child |
| control their behavior. Remember, ADD children | | | | ages, this will teach them to function on a daily |
| suffer from forgetfulness, inattentiveness, | | | | basis regardless of their disorder. They will learn |
| impulsiveness, and distractibility. Utilizing a system | | | | to write down important tasks and to keep track |
| to reinforce the child?s ability to complete daily | | | | of things they must accomplish. |