Some Thoughts on Counseling Goals for ADHD

What should the goals for counseling be when the patient has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

Every therapist will have their own opinions, but I'll give you some of my thoughts.

First, it is important to teach the child or teen with ADHD how to recognize problems and how to solve problems. There are many good problem solving techniques that young people can quickly learn, and these are great tools to teach them.

Second, it is important to teach the child or teen how to think before they act, how to be less impulsive, how to have greater self-control. Without good internal controls the natural tendency toward impulsive behaviors will cause the ADHD person many heart aches.

Third, it is important to teach the child or teen with ADHD to respect others, and other's property, as well as to respect himself and his property.

Fourth, it is important to teach the child or teen to monitor his or her thoughts. It has been reported that the thoughts of ADHD kids are Off-Task at least 60% of the time compared to non-ADDers at only 20% of the time. ADHD kids also tend to have more negative thoughts. Teach the child to be aware of his or her own thoughts, and to control them to be on-task more and to be more positive.

Fifth, teach the child social skills as needed. Some kids have great social skills, some do not. Moral reasoning often needs to fit into here as well. It is odd to say, but there are some kids that I see who seem as if they have no conscience whatsoever. Moral reasoning is often more important than just the social skills training. Many sociopaths have great interpersonal skills, but without the morals or values to guide them.

Finally, anger management training and relaxation training as needed. I'm sure there are many other goals which are equally noble, and which ought to be mentioned. But this was my list of thoughts, and I think each goal listed above is important to deal with and achieve in counseling/therapy. If I could accomplish the above list with a client, then I would consider the therapy to have been a success.

Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.

---

How to Handle Child Tantrums?

Child tantrums are a way for children to express their... Read More

So, My Child Has Been Recommended for Testing - What Do I Do Now?

You've just received a call from your child's teacher. As... Read More

Awesome Dads Top Ten Communication Intentions

An Awesome Dad in by no means perfect. But that... Read More

The Most Powerful Question a Parent Can Ask?

The question I have for you drives right to the... Read More

A Place For Everything: Its Childs Play

What parent hasn't gone into a son's or daughter's room... Read More

Would You Hire This Teacher?

Imagine you were the principal of the school that your... Read More

Don?t Make Fast and Furious Food Changes

OK, moms and dads out there, we hear you when... Read More

Bring On The Music To Help Your Child Learn Faster And More Effectively

Do you remember how you first learned the alphabet? I... Read More

Stay at Home Mom You Need to Raise Cowboys

Now I know that is not how the song goes,... Read More

How To Help Your Child Learn

Just as every snowflake is unique, so is every child.... Read More

The Value of Play

Isn't it ironic that a country whose constitution allows for... Read More

How Can I Teach My Child Respect?

A common theme over the past 20 years has been... Read More

Top Ten Ways to Teach Values to Your Kids

In a consumer-driven society that broadcasts values you don't approve... Read More

I Dont Believe in ADHD

O.K. I've heard it a hundred times from my prison... Read More

Children?s Birthday Party Planning: When and When Not to Have a Big Party

Age 1: Invite only family members and close friends only... Read More

Childrens Safety in Public Places - 10 Useful Tips

My kids ask me all the time to take them... Read More

When A Parent Is Deployed

When a parent is deployed with the military it can... Read More

Guide to Choosing a Computer System for Your Child

Before going further into choosing computers for children, I believe... Read More

Say No to Mealtime Mayhem: Eating Out With Your Baby or Toddler

Many parenting books advise against eating out with young children.... Read More

ADHD: A Dialogue With a Non-Believer, part three

Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More

How Do Campers Protect Their Children?

Oh yes you have! Suddenly, "Where's Bobby?" You instantly realize... Read More

How Much Water are You Wasting?

Are you being smart about water conservation? Do you consider... Read More

Childrens Books And Educational Toys - Can They Still Be Fun And Have Educational Value

It was no contest. Given a choice between a ball... Read More

A New School Year

Depending on where you live school will be starting this... Read More

Potty Dolls to Accelerate Potty Training Success

Sometime the most effective training tool in rapidly accelerating the... Read More