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• 1 media/PT.jpg 2017-04-17T18:08:14-07:00 Parent Training 18 image_header 2017-04-23T18:10:05-07:00

  Parent training is considered another form of behavior therapy and uses a technique to strengthen the bond between child and parent. This is accomplished by educating parents on how to respond to their child's symptoms and using a reward system to enforce good behavior.

   

  Parent training is a recently developed technique used to treat ADHD, and according to research, it may be an effective approach to treating the symptoms associated with the disorder. This approach treats ADHD as a psychological disorder. A study published in the journal, Japanese Psychological Research, explored the use of parent training and support group sessions for mothers with children formally diagnosed with or suspected to have ADHD. Each training session had a specific topic such as, “Stress Management”, “Problem Solving”, or “Effective Communication”, and incorporated the children to practice the new techniques among the other mothers. Dr. Shizuka Shimabukuro stated, “it is important that children with ADHD are rewarded with praise after engaging in appropriate behavior” (8). This is the main concept of parent training, a reward system. After the treatment sessions, the mothers reported a significant decrease in the ADHD symptoms of their child, a decrease in their total stress, and a decrease in misbehavior episodes from their child (8).

   

   
  

  Similar results were seen in individual sessions as well which consisted of one child, their parents, and a therapist. Some people prefer this approach because it may allow them to customize their treatment plan further. However, that is not meant to sound like individual sessions were more effective. Many parents choose to engage in group training sessions because it allows them an opportunity to connect with other parents that are experiencing similar difficulties. Also, some parents may feel less intimidated to seek treatment if they know it will be offered among other parents.

   

  Since the parent-child relationship is often times hindered by the difficulty of managing a child with ADHD and the child managing their own symptoms, this method has become more popular in recent times. Not only does this treatment train parents, it also trains the children simultaneously so they can adapt to lifestyle changes together. The approach to treating both sides of a parent-child relationship seems to have been successful for many parents in addition to strengthening their bond and communication between themselves and their child.

  
  8. Shimabukuro, Shizuka, David Daley, Margaret Thompson, Cathy Laver-Bradbury, Emi Nakanishi, Gail Tripp. “Supporting Mothers of Children with ADHD: Cultural Adaptation of the New Forest Parent Training Programme.” Japanese Psychological Research, vol. 59, no. 1, 2016, pp. 35-48. Wiley Online Library, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jpr.12140/full. Accessed 9 Mar. 2017.