ADHD is a very prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder in children that can be treated with behavioural therapy. It is usually diagnosed in childhood and can follow into adulthood. Children with ADHD may experience difficulty with focusing, impulsive behaviours, and controlling their activity levels. For instance, low attention spans are often associated with ADHD.
A child with ADHD may frequently be lost in thought, suffer from a lack of short-term memory, and take unnecessary risks. Everyone has different symptoms. Some may struggle with hyperactivity or inattentive presentation. Others may experience both. Every instance of ADHD is different and experts in behavioural therapy treat each case accordingly. Behavioural therapists are usually able to help kids manage their ADHD by treating their unique situation with an equally unique treatment.
What is ADHD
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as ADHD, is a common mental disorder which usually presents itself in children. ADHD is regarded by some as a chronic and debilitating disorder which can lead to reduced self-esteem and impaired social ability if not appropriately treated.
There are three primary types of ADHD. Predominantly Inattentive Presentation refers to cases in which the child experiences difficulty with paying attention to details or conversations. Daily routines are also frequently forgotten. Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulse Presentation refers to situations in which the child experiences physical restlessness. A Combined Presentation is a situation in which the child experiences both types equally.
How ADHD Affects Kids
One of the most significant impacts of ADHD in children is their educational development. Because children with ADHD experience attention loss, frequent daydreaming, and restlessness, they may not be able to maintain attention to the lesson and will thus be in a position to miss out on critical information.
Kids affected by ADHD may benefit from an individual education program (IEP). While an IEP is not a form of ADHD treatment, plenty of Ottawa schools offer specialized plans that optimize an affected student’s education to better suit their strengths and weaknesses.
For ADHD treatments, we recommend you consult an ADHD therapist involved in behavioural therapy. Waystone Psychology employs many highly-qualified ADHD therapists in Ottawa to give children the personalized attention they deserve.
Behavioural Therapy as an ADHD Treatment
Behavioural therapy is often confused with psychotherapy. Psychotherapy focuses on emotions whereas behavioural therapy is concerned with actions. The intention is to turn negative energy and disruptions into positive energy. For instance, behavioural therapy will help restless children direct their energy into focusing on lessons rather than fidgeting or walking around.
Behaviour therapy helps children manage their ADHD by adding structure to daily life. This involves implementing routines and encouraging predictability through positive reinforcement. Behavioural therapy plans, for instance, might narrow the scope of treatment to structuring small tasks at first and working their way up to larger ones in baby steps to avoid overwhelming the child.
Personalized ADHD Treatment for Kids at Waystone Psychology
Does your child need help with learning to manage their ADHD? Waystone Psychology employs highly-qualified ADHD therapists to help children with ADHD treatments in the Ottawa area.
Our expert behavioural therapists have combined decades of education and experience to provide our clients with the highest standard of care. We give each patient a personalized plan that details how we intend to help with ADHD management. Contact us today to get started on your child’s personalized ADHD treatment plan!