| If you suspect or know your child has Attention Deficit | | | | to success. It contains a focus on skill building including |
| Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), counseling and/or | | | | managing emotions, interpersonal skills, behavior, and |
| coaching can be extremely helpful for you and your | | | | whatever that particular child may need. |
| child. Please notice I said you and your child. YOU | | | | Another common style of therapy for children is Play |
| MUST be involved in this process. How you treat your | | | | Therapy. Play Therapy recognizes that young children |
| child, how you react to them, the tone of voice you | | | | are not usually capable of 'talking about their feelings" |
| use, the words you say, how you nurture and support | | | | as such. Play Therapy provides a way for the |
| them is the most important thing you do for your child. | | | | therapist to interact with a young child within the child's |
| Your child cannot change in your family system if you | | | | fantasy metaphor. Often, the child will display their |
| keep doing everything the way you have always done | | | | feelings through their play with a doll house or through |
| it. | | | | their drawings or other creative play media. A skilled |
| You will need support in ways to best help your child | | | | Play Therapist can help the child via the vehicle of play |
| succeed. A therapist who specializes in ADHD can | | | | without ever having to leave the child's theme of |
| help you understand what your child is going through | | | | symbolic play. Some parents are dismayed when their |
| and help you identify what your child needs from you. | | | | child tells them they just 'played'. Ask the therapist |
| They will teach you behavior management skills and | | | | about the process. Research has proven the positive |
| explore options for dealing with your child's | | | | results gained from Play Therapy. |
| forgetfulness, impulsivity, lack of task completion, lack | | | | Your child may benefit from a support group or a |
| of motivation, poor concentration, hyperactivity, etc. | | | | group that helps to build social skills. These are often |
| A therapist can teach your child organizational skills, | | | | found at mental health clinics or agencies such as a |
| social skills, and study skills. They will help your child | | | | Child and Family Agency or the Social Services |
| improve their self esteem. They can help your child | | | | department in your town. Schools often offer groups |
| understand how ADHD impacts their lives, options for | | | | for kids right at the school. These are convenient, the |
| dealing with it, and how to feel better about | | | | school personnel already know your child, and your |
| themselves. They will help you help your child with all of | | | | child gets to practice socializing with kids he will |
| these issues and help you create and maintain a | | | | encounter daily. A downside to this is that some kids |
| healthy parent/child relationship. | | | | are embarrassed to be in a group like this and to have |
| One common style of therapy, Cognitive/Behavior | | | | their classmates know they attend. You know your |
| Therapy (CBT) is an especially good option for helping | | | | child best. Think about this concern and talk to your |
| kids succeed with their ADHD. CBT looks at options | | | | child and his teacher before you decide. |
| for making thoughts, feelings, and behavior contribute | | | | |