ADHD treatment news: Demystifying the Myths and Misconceptions behind ADHD
Demystifying the Myths and Misconceptions behind ADHD
The disease Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may be familiar to most people, but only a few are knowledgeable about its causes. It is necessary to secure oneself with knowledge about irregular behaviors and their medical explanations to prevent them and administer proper cures. Regrettably, most people’s notions about ADHD are enmeshed with various myths and misconceptions that consequently develop a stigma against patients with this psychological deficit.
For that reason, children with this attention and hyperactivity problem continue to be branded as troublemakers and spoiled brats, while adult patients are considered lazy and dumb. Most people believe that ADHD is not even a medically accepted condition or that it does not exist at all. Because of this, individuals with ADHD tend to be indifferent or isolated instead of having a concrete support system from their respective communities.
That situation is not effective at all because feeling ostracized and misjudged can aggravate their condition. Hence, the best way to tackle the issue is to first fix some of the incorrect impressions that people have against this behavioral disorder. For example, some believe that ADHD is just a way to increase the profits of drug companies and therapists.
However, the truth is that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD exists and has been tormenting thousands of children across the globe. If not addressed immediately, this can be a lifetime problem that individuals and their families have to endure. Thankfully, there are several residential treatment centers today that can help heal not only the ADHD per se, but also the emotional wounds that other members of society have induced on the patients themselves.
Apart from serving as a shelter, these establishments also have a well-equipped residential treatment facility that can give the treatment needs of teens with ADHD. This demystifies yet another belief which claims that children who have ADHD are over-diagnosed and over-medicated. Certain people believe that the condition has grown to be an excuse for all misbehaving youths; however, professional psychologists can confirm that they have valid methods of diagnosing and treating ADHD.
Another myth is that the signs and symptoms of ADHD like loss of motivation, alcohol dependency, lazy learning habits, and sensitivity to food are all done on purpose and controllable. This misguided notion usually results in harsh parenting. To prevent such from occurring, parents should seek professional help from youth treatment centers that can provide all the necessary medical and emotional help their children need.
ADHD Program in Long Island, New York Finds Success with Executive Skills Training Curriculum
The Child and Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Program for ADHD, a division of East End Psychological Services ( http://www.eepservices.org ), is successfully treating ADHD in children, adolescents and adults by teaching strategies that enhance executive skills.
“Many people with ADHD struggle with executive skill deficits which are based in the biology of their brain. Thus, effective ADHD intervention involves strengthening the individual’s executive functions, which directly impact academic, career and social success. Executive skills permit individuals to manage or self-regulate themselves and guide behavior across time,” explains Dr. Joseph Volpe, Clinical Psychologist and Coordinator of the Program. “The ADHD Program at East End Psychological Services provides comprehensive executive skills training as a way to improve academic functioning, enhance career success and nurture personal relationships. Our methods for evaluating and teaching executive strategies have become especially valuable to our clientele at this time as many popular ADHD medications have been in short supply, especially less expensive generic medications.”
Before the training protocol is implemented, staff psychologists collect detailed background history about the individual. Next, clients are evaluated for baseline executive functions including attention span, behavioral inhibition, working memory, planning skills, and organizational abilities. Psychoeducational testing is provided when there is evidence for learning or other cognitive problems. Social-emotional and personality variables are tested as well. Direct consultation with school staff is part of the assessment process for school-aged children. Interviews with significant others are utilized when evaluating adults.
Through various interventions which include behavior modification techniques, cognitive therapy and behavioral counseling, clients learn how to improve impulse control, planning and organizational abilities, time management, emotional regulation, and working memory. These are skills that are necessary for success in the home, school, and/or employment settings. When assisting children, staff collaborate with parents and teachers so that these skills can be generalized between the home and school environments. With adults, the individual is trained to use these skills at college, at work and within their personal and social relationships.
Sachs Center Offers Parent Coaching To Help Children With ADHD
The Sachs Center in New York City now offers Coaching for parents struggling with their children, especially those diagnosed with ADHD. This specialized treatment is an affordable way for parents to learn about their child’s ADHD and how best to manage their behavior.
Parents with children diagnosed with ADHD often face additional parenting challenges. Children with ADHD require unique parenting skills to manage their outbursts, inability to focus and complete tasks, generally undesirable behavior, and most commonly, their tantrums.
The most important aspect to remember about tantrums is that the child is just trying to get their needs met. The Sachs Center parent coaching encourages caregivers to see that their child is looking for attention, or for something tangible such as food or a toy. Regardless, the parent’s best course of action is inaction; ignoring the behavior completely and maintaining their composure. The parent is encouraged to say, “When you calm down, then I can talk with you,” thereby removing the chance of emotional escalation. Otherwise, the parent’s return of an angry outburst will only add fuel to the tantrum’s fire. Once the anger passes, the child can then access their sadness for not getting their needs met, and that is when they reach to the parent for comfort and the tantrum ends.