Choosing the Right ADHD Treatment

Behavior therapy may be an underused form of treatment for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Around 75 percent of US children who have ADHD receive medication — which can and most often is an effective form of treatment — but only around half receive some form of psychological services such as behavior therapy , according to the CDC.

But many kids with ADHD could benefit from behavior therapy to treat this behavioral disorder, which is marked by attention problems, impulsiveness and hyperactivity, according to the CDC.

With behavior therapy, therapists teach parents certain skills and strategies to help guide their child’s behavior. Parents will learn how to improve communication, implement positive behavior and discourage negative behaviors.  

Although medications are effective in treating ADHD, some research has found that behavior therapy can be as effective as medication in treating ADHD, without the risk of side effects.

Doctors and parents should discuss the best course of action to treat ADHD in children.

This CDC report looked at around 6 million health records of children with ADHD. The report published on the CDC website.