“At what age can a child start behavioral therapy?”
My daughter is 5 years old. She was diagnosed with ADHD. I want to start behavioral therapy for her. At what age can a child start behavioral therapy?
8 Answers
In my clinical experience, behavioral therapy can have a significant impact on the child - even at 5 years old.
If I had a 5 year old patient, diagnosed with ADHD, I would want to initiate a multimodal approach. I would treat them using behavioral therapy, as well as having them work with an executive functioning coach - to establish a strong baseline the child can grow from. When clinicians are able to work in unison, you create a 1 + 1 = 3, synergistic phenomena. It is not common to find offices which offer several services, but it is recommended parents seek the ones who can facilitate this service.
Depending on the severity of the diagnosis, and how activated they are, we might also utilize direct CBT interventions, or even a more 'unique' methodology in which the child will dictate - out loud - what they are doing, in order not to forget or become distracted.
Being able to focus and also not become overly focused are equally challenging at this age. If the child is watching TV, or doing something they really love - ensuring this is time based, rather than "episode" or "feelings" driven, will teach them the cognitive flexibility necessary to accomodate future situations in which they are required to switch topics rapidly. (example - 1 hour of screen time, at the hour, the game is taken away, the tv is turned off, the tablet is gently removed from the child's hands.)
Lastly, ADHD is not simply a diagnosis related to focus or concentration. Kiddos with ADHD are terribly sensitive. They miss social cues, are often misaligned with their friends goals and ways of playing, and will often verbalize how they cannot tell if "billy" is there friend or not (on the other hand, you can see children of this age become obsessed with just 1 person, often times someone younger, because they are easier to communicate with, easier to relate to - while easier, it is not conducive to the youths over all growth. Peer to peer interactions is what you want.)
Setting up play groups, ensuring the child understands the natural give and take which occurs when you play (that other kids are allowed to win, that cheating in order to win is not the 'point). You will often see a 'parallel process' when working with children of this age. For parents, take out a simple game and see how your child plays it with you... Are they playing or "playing." "Playing" refers to when children have another's attention and they want to ensure they keep the attention, and something like a game is highly controlled, new 'rules' are created, and several additional obstacles are created to ensure there will be only one winner (guess who...?)
There is much, much more, and I hope this was helpful.
If you would like to hear more about how I would treat a young child diagnosed with ADHD, I encourage you to reach out to austin@unfoldpsychology.com, or give me a call at 650-993-9321. We welcome all inquiries! Unfold Psychology's offices can be found in the Bay Area (San Francisco, Oakland, Marin etc.)
- Dr. Heafey
If I had a 5 year old patient, diagnosed with ADHD, I would want to initiate a multimodal approach. I would treat them using behavioral therapy, as well as having them work with an executive functioning coach - to establish a strong baseline the child can grow from. When clinicians are able to work in unison, you create a 1 + 1 = 3, synergistic phenomena. It is not common to find offices which offer several services, but it is recommended parents seek the ones who can facilitate this service.
Depending on the severity of the diagnosis, and how activated they are, we might also utilize direct CBT interventions, or even a more 'unique' methodology in which the child will dictate - out loud - what they are doing, in order not to forget or become distracted.
Being able to focus and also not become overly focused are equally challenging at this age. If the child is watching TV, or doing something they really love - ensuring this is time based, rather than "episode" or "feelings" driven, will teach them the cognitive flexibility necessary to accomodate future situations in which they are required to switch topics rapidly. (example - 1 hour of screen time, at the hour, the game is taken away, the tv is turned off, the tablet is gently removed from the child's hands.)
Lastly, ADHD is not simply a diagnosis related to focus or concentration. Kiddos with ADHD are terribly sensitive. They miss social cues, are often misaligned with their friends goals and ways of playing, and will often verbalize how they cannot tell if "billy" is there friend or not (on the other hand, you can see children of this age become obsessed with just 1 person, often times someone younger, because they are easier to communicate with, easier to relate to - while easier, it is not conducive to the youths over all growth. Peer to peer interactions is what you want.)
Setting up play groups, ensuring the child understands the natural give and take which occurs when you play (that other kids are allowed to win, that cheating in order to win is not the 'point). You will often see a 'parallel process' when working with children of this age. For parents, take out a simple game and see how your child plays it with you... Are they playing or "playing." "Playing" refers to when children have another's attention and they want to ensure they keep the attention, and something like a game is highly controlled, new 'rules' are created, and several additional obstacles are created to ensure there will be only one winner (guess who...?)
There is much, much more, and I hope this was helpful.
If you would like to hear more about how I would treat a young child diagnosed with ADHD, I encourage you to reach out to austin@unfoldpsychology.com, or give me a call at 650-993-9321. We welcome all inquiries! Unfold Psychology's offices can be found in the Bay Area (San Francisco, Oakland, Marin etc.)
- Dr. Heafey
Hello, Excellent question! Behavior therapy can be very helpful for young children. Early intervention is usually better than waiting until they are older and have more challenges (such as classroom expectations). It can reduce or even eliminate the need for ADHD medication for many children.
I would suggest finding a child therapist. I believe 5 is not too young but they would be able to give you more information.
Hello, Sorry to hear that your daughter has ADHD. Who diagnosed her with it? What is their advice? You may want to consult with them. I think it’s o.k. to start behavior therapy for her as long as you are also a participant. Take care and remain safe.
If a child needs behavioral therapy and someone provides I believe it is malpractice. I believe the parents need to learn how to parent better, so they can be the child's therapist. What is wrong is born of family dynamics, not genes. A good therapist can teach the parents how to heal their own child, since, after all, parents are, hopefully, with their child for far more than an hour a week.
I believe the correct protocol is to educate the parents on what the critical childhood essential needs are; how to correct missed opportunities; how to correctly discipline and coach; and finally, how to change the trajectory of the child's development, rather than correct the child so the parents can enjoy/love the child more. The healer should be the parents. The parents made the mistakes and can correct them far better than anyone, even Mother Teresa. No one can replace parents. Therapists can coach parents, given they know how.
I believe the correct protocol is to educate the parents on what the critical childhood essential needs are; how to correct missed opportunities; how to correctly discipline and coach; and finally, how to change the trajectory of the child's development, rather than correct the child so the parents can enjoy/love the child more. The healer should be the parents. The parents made the mistakes and can correct them far better than anyone, even Mother Teresa. No one can replace parents. Therapists can coach parents, given they know how.
I would hols off therapy for a few years. I would suggest having a good routine and structure for your daughter. Keep activities shorter (20 minutes) particularly choirs, or homework. Remember 5 year olds attention is very short as well. If you and or doctors are considering medication, ask lots of questions to side-effect, drug holidays, etc.
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Children and their parents can benefit from the expertise of a behavioral therapist at a very young age. Most therapists will work with you both together to change the dynamics that are keeping the behaviors going.
Don't expect to just drop her off and not be part of the process. Think about the number of hours that you spend with her during the week. If the therapist can teach you both different ways to react in a situation, you'll see a much bigger change.
Don't expect to just drop her off and not be part of the process. Think about the number of hours that you spend with her during the week. If the therapist can teach you both different ways to react in a situation, you'll see a much bigger change.
See this link for some insight into your question:
https://chadd.org/for-parents/behavioral-therapy-for-young-children/#:~:text=The%20American%20Academy%20of%20Pediatrics,treatment%20first%20before%20trying%20medication.
https://chadd.org/for-parents/behavioral-therapy-for-young-children/#:~:text=The%20American%20Academy%20of%20Pediatrics,treatment%20first%20before%20trying%20medication.
