For years the go-to treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) were drugs like Adderall and Ritalin. Such drugs have come under scrutiny lately, since the long-term effects on children are unknown.
New research from the Florida International University suggests that treating ADHD through behaviour modification first may be more efficient than simply having children pop a pill.
In the U.S., more than four million kids have a diagnosis of ADHD. Figures are similarly high here in Canada. Drugs have always been the first port of call for pediatricans treating children affected by the disorder. But that may be about to change.
New research, published in the Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, found that medication was most effective if used after behavioural treatment - not before.
“We showed that the sequence in which you give treatments makes a big difference in outcomes,” said lead researcher, William E. Pelham. “The children who started with behavioural modification were doing significantly better than those who began with medication by the end, no matter what treatment combination they ended up with.”
The ramifications of the study, which tracked 146 children between five and 12, could be huge. Many parents are reluctant to medicate their children, especially when they are diagnosed at a very young age. By using this approach, children may still need drugs, but require lower dosages.
Parents were taught a behaviour program, which consists of a simple reward and consequence system in which children can earn – or have revoked - privileges such as screen time according to their behaviour.
The study group that received behavioural therapy first significantly outperformed those who began solely on medication. They showed fewer defiant behaviours and a marked improvement their ability to focus.
Obviously implementing a behavioural plan will cost parents in terms of time and effort, but no doubt that investment is worth it if children make greater gains without relying solely on meds.
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