ADHD Behavior Modification
in simple terms
ADHD Behavior modification is a system of rewards for good behavior and punishment for bad behavior. It finds the point where poor behavior happens and trains the person to respond positively. ADHD Behavior modification works in ways that young children understand.
Good behavior equals reward and bad behavior equals punishment. As an adult we understand this intuitively. We know that if we work hard and do things well we will achieve the reward of success. If we engage in negative behaviors life will punish us with conflict and unhappiness.
ADHD Behavior Modification as Therapy.
ADHD behavior modification focuses specifically on the undesired behavior and its immediate trigger. Training the individual to respond in a positive way.It differs from talk therapy where the underlying cause of the behavior is discussed worked with. The advantage of this zeroing in is that measurable changes can be created. A disadvantage is the underlying causes are not addressed. It is for this reason that ADHD behavior modification used on its own without other therapies is a band-aid solution. It stops the bleeding but does not heal the wound.
How do you do ADHD Behavior Modification?
The What? and the Where?
The behaviors being modified must be understood in the context that they are a problem. For example: having out bursts while the teacher is instructing the class or putting up a fuss when it was time to go to bed. The place and the conditions need to be identified. Then three things need to be considered: - What comes directly before the behavior? Or what is the trigger or cause?
- What does the behavior look like? What is it that is the undesired action?
- What comes directly after the behavior? What happens that makes the undesired action a problem?
Each of these concepts needs to be understood. Then you can take action to alter the undesired behavior.
Steps you can take to alter behavior
- The behavior must be pointed out and modified as it happens. This is the most effective way to train the new behavior.
- If possible, eliminate a setting if it causes poor behavior.
- Train new behavior in the presence of the trigger. A problem behavior readily occurs because it achieves some function; an alternative behavior can be trained to occur in the presence of the trigger.
- If the behavior modification is not working with ease then more complex things can be done. Like chaining several different modifications one after the other.
Setting a goal to alter the behavior several times in a row without mistakes.
Different ages need different methods?
Young children will respond more easily to training than older children. As a child gets older their personality, thoughts and feelings come more into play. This means behavior modification on a teenager will be much more difficult.If a child is disciplined according to a behavior modification program in the classroom or around friends and may damage their self-esteem.
Lets face it, being singled out of a crowd can be humiliating. Private or ADHD support group therapy may be more useful. Don't go overboard with the punishment. The process can get difficult for the child sometimes. If they get upset, let them calm down before you explain. Talk with them about what you are doing and why. Kids are smart they'll get it.
Who can perform ADHD behavior modification?
The most likely people to be performing ADHD behavior modification with a child are parents, teachers or trained professionals. They all have advantages and disadvantages based on their abilities.Parents
There are products out on the market in which the parents administrate the behavior modification. For many situations this could really help improve the childs behavior. Along with teachers, parents spend the most amount of time with their children. This makes it easy for them to address the behaviors as they happen. Many people would say that this is just good parenting. that all parents should do that.
Don't worry.
We all need a little help sometimes. It can be tough for a parent to properly implement a behavior modification program.
Emotions can get in the way.
Parents are not specifically trained in this sort of thing. It can be tough for them to get all the steps right to provide that effective treatment. With the busyness of daily life and if there are other children and you can make it extremely difficult for the program to be followed properly.
Teachers
I had a very driven grade 1 teacher. She was my teacher when I got my diagnosis of ADHD She attempted behavior modification with me. Se set up a reward program with me and made a chart to track my behavior. If my behavior was good enough that I receive a will reward of my choosing at the end of the term. I don't remember having a conclusion to the course. My teacher probably got to busy with the rest of the class.
This brings up the important point.
The advantage of working with the teacher is that they are the one with me every day. The disadvantage is that they have many other students who need their time to. They get to address my behavior right when it happens which is the most effective way of training and behavior modification. There are also somewhat impartial because they have so many other kids that they need to work with. But there are too many other kids for them to work with to provide a proper focus consistent program. The program works when it's done consistently with proper follow-up which teachers often can not provide.
Professionals
ADHD behavior modification can be delivered by a trained professional in at setting outside of the classroom. Either in an ADHD support group setting or one on one.They are the experts and they can focus right in on all the problems in specific. Then train solutions right away. An expert would be able to interview the child to really understand what the childs problem behaviors are. They would be able to create a behavior modification system tailored to that child. It would also be able to implement this system in a controlled setting repeatedly over a period of several weeks or months. They can also make specific measurements of success. Zeroing in on the problem and repeatedly practicing the situations can create real results in the classroom.
What do I think of ADHD Behavior Modification?
The problems I had seemed fixed for the adults, but they stayed there unaddressed even into adulthood. I think ADHD Behavior modification is a wonderful technique can be used to put out the fire. Used in conjunction with other therapies ADHD behavior modification is an excellent tool to help you and your child control the symptoms of ADHD.
My opinion based on my experience with ADHD treatment. For the best results behavior modification needs to be used with other therapies. It is another great addition for the ADHD treatment toolbox!
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