A Promblem Solving Training Program for Parents of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

A behavior management approach is presented that is designed to enhance the active involvement of children with ADHD in managing their own behavior. In this program emphasis is placed on parents presenting behavior management situations as those where their child must make a choice between compliance and noncompliance. Each of these alternatives is linked to a consequence that is meaningfully connected to the antecedent behavior. Parents are also given instruction in acknowledging feelings, the use of process questions, anger management, and communication skills. The intervention is being delivered in both an individual program of therapy in which pairs of parents meet with the therapists and a group program in which 8-10 parent pairs meet with a pair of therapists. Preliminary findings indicate that the program is effective in reducing parental stress, improving the parents' perception of the child, and improving parental problem solving skills in behavior management situations. The effects appear to be stronger for individual as compared to group therapy.