ADHD behavior therapy or parenting skills is the key to treating ADHD. Not every one might agree with this but ADHD medication is not the only answer. ADHD is complex as Dr.Amen the ADD and ADHD expert has pointed out. One size fits all seems to be the answer according to the drug companies who manufacture ADHD medications. Parenting barely gets a mention and yet it is so important.

Understanding a complex mental disorder like ADHD just by looking at a cluster of symptoms is not the way to go either. There are now so many co-morbid disorders which may exist side by side with ADHD that some kids are now referred to as ‘alphabet kids’ as they collect acronyms like we used to collect postage stamps.

Here are some parenting tips. You might be tempted to reprimand your child just like your own parents or you may be completely free and easy and never bother establishing rules. Rules have to be made and both parents have to agree to sign up to them. If this does not happen, then the child will immediately spot the weak link in your defences and exploit it.

Imagine if you only give children your attention when there is a problem with behavior. This is guaranteed to make them want to look for more attention by behaving badly. Bad behavior means getting attention and noticed.

Contrast that with spending prime time with your child and rewarding him with love and affection and especially reinforcing this when good behavior is evident. Good behavior is then associated with positive feelings and bonding is strengthened. Praise and prizes take up much more space than withdrawing privileges or good old fashioned punishment.

Rules have to be laid down. The child knows all the consequences and knows the limits. ‘Be good’ is a pretty vague command for a child so you have to give specific instructions for him to follow. ‘Stay next to me when we cross the road’ is easy to follow . Because the child is easily distracted it is much better to give these instructions in a quiet place because the ADHD child has sensations, sounds, coming at him from all angles and his filters are just not working like ours are. Is it any wonder he does not hear what you say?

You can learn a lot more from ADHD behavior therapy. These are just some of the tactics and tips that can be used with great effect with a child who has ADHD. Indeed the AAP (American Academy of Pediatricians) is also convinced that medication combined with some psychological intervention such as behaviour therapy is the way to go.