Behavioral Parent Training

[MySweetie]

My 6 yo was recently diagnosed with adhd and my SO is very anti meds. So I want to try a behavioral parent training program first, then most likely we will need meds at some point, but hopefully less. How did you find programs like this in your area and what have your experiences been like?

[denak2]

Hi, My husband and I took three 3-hour parental training classes that were offered through a child psychologist that our ADHD daughter was seeing at the time. When our daughter was in Kindergarten, we decided we wanted a thorough evaluation to determine if she had ADHD. Our pediatrician gave me several psychologists name. I called a few and checked out their websites. I eventually, pick one psychologist. After several visits, the psychologist said our daughter's symptoms were classic for ADHD in girls. Our daughter saw the psychologist monthly for about a year and also started taking medication. Our daughter struggles with social issues and getting along with other girls. The monthly visits were not that helpful because we didn't get much feedback or advice. The psychologist occasionally offered parental classes which covered things like nutrition, executive function, approaches to increase positive behaviors and decrease negative behaviors, etc. It was expensive but somewhat helpful in learning to work with our daughter better. We did learn some tricks to reduce the stress level in the house. We no longer see the psychologist because the sessions didn't seem that helpful maybe we needed to go more often but we were paying out of pocket and it was very expensive. I frequently "attend" webinars that ADDitude magazine offers and find these to be very helpful. We've been waiting 4 months to see a child psychiatrist at our children's hospital because we've had a hard time finding a medication that works without side effects. Good luck to you and your family.

[markaldama23]

There is many alternative things you can do ...I'm on the other end of it I have ADHD I'm 45 I wish I would have took riddlen as a kid I take it now and it's like day and night it's different when you a kid I remember very well always in trouble bounce in of the walls but very smart but with all that energy I still lived a life of solitude because life was to fast and nobody understood there is going to be a lot of challenges for you son I really wish I took meds as a kid