Increasing numbers of children under the age of five are being diagnosed with ADHD, and prescribed medication. For children ages 2-5, whose brains are still rapidly developing, medication can have a variety of side effects. These side effects are often more severe than in older children. Most alarming, is the fact that we have no evidence that ADHD medications do not alter the child’s brain development, since we have no long-term studies.
As such, the CDC recommends behavioral therapy as a first option for this age group. In behavior therapy, therapists help parents build skills to aid in teaching their children how to manage their own behavior. This method has been shown to be just as effective as medication.
Parents have an important role in treating their child’s ADHD. In behavior therapy, parents are trained by a therapist during sessions to learn strategies to encourage positive behavior, discourage negative behaviors, improve communication, and strengthen their relationship with their child. These skills help children at school and home by improving behavior, impulse control, and self-esteem. Although behavior therapy requires more time and effort the benefits last much longer, than just treatment with ADHD medications.
Resource:
More Young Children with ADHD Could Benefit from Behavior Therapy: http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/p0503-children-adhd.html
