1. Treatment of Childhood Disorders
4/22/11

2. Agenda Common types of child treatment Treatment for ADHD
Comparing medicationand therapy
Treatment for ADHD
Stimulants
Medication Abuse
Treatment for Behavior Problems
Parenting Training
Coping Power
Treatment for Autism
Applied Behavioral Analysis

3. Why treat childhood disorders?
Many childhood disorders will persist into adulthood if left untreated
Kids may be easier than adults to treat
Faster
More cost-effective
Early treatment is a predictor of better long-term outcomes

4. Common Types of Child Treatment
Biological
E.g., medications for ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety disorders
Individual therapy
Similar to adult individual therapy
E.g., depression, anxiety treatments
Behavior Modification
Using conditioning principles to change maladaptive behavior
Parenting training
Teaching parents to use Bhv Mod and address stress
Family therapy
Addresses maladaptive systems within the family as a whole

5. Comparing Treatments
Medication
Therapy
More effective for some disorders (ADHD) but mostly short-term effects
Side effects (↑ suicidal thoughts, sleep probs, ↓ appetite)
Easy, relatively cheap
Long-term effects and the only option when drugs aren’t available for certain disorders
No known harmful effects
Not covered well by insurance
Time-consuming and often costly

6. ADHD Treatment Stimulants Therapy
Thought to stimulate prefrontal cortex functioning
Decrease negative behaviors
Somewhat increase positive behaviors
Correct dosage is important
Over- and under-medicated
Dosage usually changes over time
Side effects (especially trouble sleeping, decreased appetite, and concerns about growth suppression)
Therapy
Most effective for comorbid behavior problems

7. In the news: Medication abuse among college students
Abuse of ADHD stimulant medication in college populations (“study drugs”)
Exs: Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta, Dexedrine

8. Parenting Training Remember the coercive process model?
Teaching parents to use learning principles to modify children’s behavior (Behavior Modification)
“OK” Child Behavior
“Not OK” Child Behavior
Parent Attention ( Bhv)
OK Behavior Increases
Not OK Behavior Increases
No Parent Attention ( Bhv)
OK Behavior Decreases
Not OK Behavior Decreases

9. Coping Power
Individual therapy for angry and aggressive children in school
Teaches kids awareness of emotions and how to cope with feelings and calm down
Teaches effective problem-solving
Problem Identification
Choices
Consequences

10. Autism Treatment Applied Behavioral Analysis
Based on Lovaas’ work
Early, intense instruction
Using many reinforcement principles as well
Very repetitive, have to teach many skills that normal children learn easily (e.g., speech)
What predicts better outcomes?
Higher IQ
More hours of therapy
Start at younger age
Greater language skills

11. For Next Time…. Health Psychology & Stress Remember:
Read p
Remember:
Complete research requirement if you have not already done so
Extra Credit Opportunities:
Mental Health Monologues (3 Extra Credit Points)
April 21st at 7:30, in Room 38, Lloyd Hall
Online Course Evaluations (2 Extra Credit Points)
Must print out completion screen