Effectiveness of counseling, ADHD | ADHD Information

Two views being expressed here as I see it.... "CBT"  and  "reasonable rules and consequences".   Some high powered ADHD experts (as in Russel Barkley, I believe) don't put much faith in CBT for addressing ADD traits since, they point out, it's not that they (us ADDers) don't "get it", it's that their neurobiology gets in their way of "doing it!"  All the CBT in the world, they argue, won't change the underlying neurobiological issue.   I see more than a grain of truth to that, having done some CBT stuff (which helped a little) ...  But best approach is to keep trying and not give up and not get hung up on one approach, and keep trying and trying and tryi... 

On a positive note, I am on the same page with staff from his (new) school and they are gems!!!  We had a meeting this a.m., a very supportive group of people, and we all expressed and stressed that it is up to DS to get his posterior in on time at night and other strategies to help him through so that he can make it to the bus on time in the morning.  So far, his grades are good but he is on the line due to unexcused absences/tardies (he chronically misses the bus and either gets there late with alternate transportation or has no transportation and misses school). 

They also did ask him how he feels about his new school, complimented his performance to this point in the school year; however, laid it out to him that if he cannot attend, he will eventually fail, and it will affect him adversely.

IMHO counseling helps with comorbids at a young age.Jessica N39719.3985300926Have you looked for someone with training specifically in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

[QUOTE=jaderock54]My step- mother would lock the doors at 10:30pm on school nights- we were supposed to be home by 9:30.  Sleeping on the porch a couple nights worked well to get me in on time!  

Family therapy is a good idea.  It really helps the child to understand how his actions effect everyone else and how it makes everyone feels.  It can also help because the focus turns to the whole family and not just the "problem child" (which is what I felt like when I was getting sent to therapy at that age).
[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I guess that would be a good remedy.  My DS had a house key, his dad took it away, so now DS can't try to sneak in after curfew.  He thinks he's old enough to call the shots for himself these days; I would say he's too big for his britches.

Thanks for your input.  

My step- mother would lock the doors at 10:30pm on school nights- we were supposed to be home by 9:30.  Sleeping on the porch a couple nights worked well to get me in on time!  

Family therapy is a good idea.  It really helps the child to understand how his actions effect everyone else and how it makes everyone feels.  It can also help because the focus turns to the whole family and not just the "problem child" (which is what I felt like when I was getting sent to therapy at that age).

I did visit a web page with local therapists, their specialities, etc., and did see explanations about CBT and other therapies; I was intrigued but did not bookmark the page.  Do you feel it is more effective? 

I live in an area where there are many, many physicians, therapists, medical facilities, etc., available, so that is a benefit.  We have coverage of 50% after deductible for psychiatric-related outpatient services with our medical insurance and that is a plus. 

Actually, I would like to ask others in my area for their opinions of local professionals, types of therapies but don't know anyone who is in the same boat as we are.  My insurance, Highmark BC/BS has lots of info. online about local services; I just have to take the time to sort through and read. 

Thanks.

To anyone who has failed attempts with counseling by a therapist for their children with ADHD, would you mind giving suggestions as to what you would do? 

My son is at a standstill with therapy but I do not want to start over at another clinic.  I feel since they have my son's history available and a relationship established with him, we may be further along than if we switched to another clinic.  DS is willing to go to therapy but not really completely engaged in the process.  In addition, he is receiving medication from this clinic and being monitored for that.  

I have been honest in expressing my concerns to my son's therapist in the past; however, in some instances, I was told the therapist was unaware of the situations I described/did not hear the same from my son and was told this would be explored further.  Frankly, I don't think I was being taken too seriously. 

If I push too much, I feel I may be perceived as hysterical and demanding, which (in my mind) might take the focus off my son and create a roadblock -- we can't afford that right now. 

In the last couple of days, my husband and daughter agreed to go with me for a family discussion at the clinic for backup because risky behaviors are getting out of hand.  Multiple family members also agree some of my son's behaviors are risky and encourage us to seek further help. 

I contacted the clinic this a.m. and am presently waiting for someone to return my call.  BTW, my son is a minor but only for one more year.

Here's my take after having my son in counseling from age 4 (and he's now 13)...

No amount of therapy is going to help an ADHD child as long as he is still responding emotionally to adverse situations.  Imagine him in a boat  trying to catch a fish he's hooked while heading towards a waterfall.  It's not that he doesn't care about the waterfall, it's just that he's more interested and focused on landing the fish. 

Now don't get me wrong, therapy is great to help manage ADHD and therefore an important tool for the family.  A good 'family' therapist will give you parenting tools to help manage his special challenges especially since your normal parenting tools don't seem to work.  Remember when you took away all the toys and still your child's behavior didn't change? 

So when do you initiate one-on-one therapy for your child?  When they are old enough to make cause/effect connections.  It's called cognitive counseling/therapy.  For an example, why does your child want to blurt out in class all of the answers?  When they are young, they can't explain the motivating factor nor can the teacher prevent it.  But when your child is older and  a bit more self aware, he can probably reason that perhaps since he already feels inferior because of his challenges he may only want to appear positive by telling all the answers and wanting the teacher and class to acknowledge it.  You get the idea...  

So, I applaud your move to take the whole family into counseling, but be careful not to focus just on your child.  The goal should be to work out solutions and responses to inappropriate behavior that everyone agrees to.

Good Luck

Paul

 

Thank you, Paul.  I will focus more on the family aspect.  I am sure my whole family would benefit from learning better coping strategies. 

I have to take some deep breaths here and try to divert my thoughts, as I am really concerned about my son's welfare right now and see there is no easy solution.  The thing is, I am really discouraged right now.  I am stumped as to how to get my son to come in on time and not be pounding the pavements until 2 a.m. on a school night (at times he avoids my calls to his cell phone and when I contact his friends, they "don't know where he is" when he is supposed to be with them).  Eventually, we could end up with legal repercussions, as far as school (tardiness) and curfew violations go.  That is why I am so bent on getting things under control at this time.

Again, thanks so much.  Your help is much appreciated.

John D and Jessica N.:  I appreciate your posts. 

[QUOTE=John D]But best approach is to keep trying and not give up and not get hung up on one approach, and keep trying and trying and tryi... [/QUOTE]

Good advice.  I'm a bit battle weary here but recognize that I can't look the other way or give up on my son; too much at risk right now.