Child Psychopathology Attention Deficits Etiology and Intervention Parenting Videotape Reading: Chapter 5

Etiology Strong genetic component –50% of behavior ratings accounted for by genetics –one or both parents often was “very active” –Treatments involve raising brain activity –Reticular activating system may cause underselectivity Neurobiological evidence related to dompaminergic, norepinephrine, serotonin Pre- and perinatal factors (prenatal alcohol, anoxia) Family problems may be consequent to difficulties –it is hard to parent a child with ADHD Toxins, allergies, diet have not received scientific support

Treatments for attentional problems Psychostimulant Medication (e.g., Ritalin) Parent management training –reduce oppositional and noncompliant behavior Educational interventions –structure, stickers, change desk, time limits Parent support groups, emotional support Self-control training, e.g., turtle technique Individual or family counselling for related issues

Long term effects of medication Romney Delaney

Behavior Therapy Joanne Burt

Double Blind Clinical Trial : To establish whether psychostimulant medication is effective Off task ratings Parents, Teachers Days/Observation sessions AAB B

Parenting and attention deficits: Work in groups of three You all are home alone with your seven year-old sons. Your child is watching television after school. You want him to clean his room and then do his homework. What do you do? Lay out your actions based on what his responses might be

Coercive cycle of parenting Mother gives command “Pick up toys!” Aversive event for child Mother gives up “Forget it then!!” Removal of aversive event Child whines, cries “Don’t want to!” Coercive child response Child’s coercive behaviors are negatively reinforced. Child learns to be more coercive to remove aversive event, i.e., parental request

Escalation of coercive cycle Mother gives command “Pick up toys!” Aversive event for child M raises voice, repeats command “Do it!!” Aversive event 2 Child whines, cries “Don’t want to!” Coercive child response Mother’s escalating behavior is reinforced by eventual compliance C yells louder, noncomplies “No way!!!!” Child response 2 Child complies “OK, OK, I’ll do it” Removal of aversive C response M begins to yell, repeats command “Do it or else!!” Aversive event 3

Parenting programs seek to break this coercive cycle, maintain calm Compliance Noncompliance Warning Command Reward/Attend 5 sec Time out (1 minute/year of age)

Changing expectations Environmental manipulations are important Changing expectations of parents External structure for the child Prevention of parenting disasters –Don’t leave a puzzle half-done on the coffee table –Mittens will be lost: have 20 pairs –Children will get dirty minutes within leaving house