Journal: Treatment vs. Intervention

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common behavioral problem that
affects both children and adolescents. Children with ADHD exhibit various impairments that
affect their functioning. In addition, ADHD also results in behavioral challenges. The
behavioral problems are likely to result in additional problems, including academic problems
as well as problems in social relationships. Boys are more likely to have ADHD compared to
girls. Scientific research has indicated that ADHD is associated with genetic factors. A child
may be vulnerable to ADHD based on their genetic composition. The symptoms can be
compounded by the environment. The result is that children may be diagnosed with ADHD
when the behavior is based on a genetic factor. Solutions lie in either psychological or
medication. Psychological interventions offer more promise when dealing with ADHD in
children.
While various conduct problems and ADHD have separate descriptions, there is a
possibility of comorbidity. A child with ADHD often encounters various frustrations when
interacting with the environment (Haack et al., 2017). The result is that they develop other
conduct problems. A child with ADHD often encounters various problems when interacting
with the environment (Delfos, 2004). Children with ADHD may thus encounter problematic
behavior. Irritable behavior is one of the problems that children with ADHD encounter.
Irritable behavior is a sign of depression. Psychological treatment may be effective in treating
other problems associated with ADHD in children.
While children with ADHD exhibit difficult behavior, they want to be protected. In
some instances, it appears like the child chooses the problematic behavior. The child needs to
be helped to overcome the behavior (Delfos, 2004). When parents show the child that the
behavior needs to be stopped, the child is given some form of security. It is important to

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ensure that the child is open to getting help from the parents. Parents must ensure that the
child feels understood. In case the child does not feel understood, they may likely resist the
help that they could be getting from the parents. The child may feel that the parent is not
basing the advice they give to them on the right ideas (Delfos, 2004). The conclusion is thus
that the child should not follow the ideas that the parent is offering them. Evidently,
psychological interventions are effective in treating problems associated with ADHD. The
foundation of intervention is to ensure that the child and the caregivers have a better
relationship that is founded on understanding (Delfos, 2004). If children feel that they are not
understood, they may continue exhibiting problematic behavior. They may also feel insecure,
and this may result in a lack of trust.
One of the main psychological interventions that have been seen to be effective in
treating ADHD is the token economy. The treatment seeks to ensure that the attention of the
children increases. The token economy is founded on operant conditioning. It is effective in
managing dysfunctional behavior in children (Nizar, 2018). The intervention requires parents
and caregivers of children with ADHD to keep a record of the child’s daily behavior.
Targeted behaviors are reinforced using tokens. The intervention fosters a strong relationship
between the child and the caregiver. Another psychological intervention that is based on
research is therapy (Nizar, 2018). The effectiveness of play therapy is based on the fact that it
is appropriate when the child has not developed abstract reasoning and verbal skills to air
their thoughts and feelings. Play therapy has proven to be effective in helping children who
have problems remembering and concentrating (Nizar, 2018). ADHD is characterized by
various behavioral problems, and this makes psychological interventions such as play therapy
and token economy to be effective in managing these psychological symptoms.
While ADHD is also characterized by various physical aspects, including the levels of
testosterone, medication may fail to address all aspects of ADHD. The disorder cannot be

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effectively treated using medication (Delfos, 2004). One of the main disadvantages of
medication is that it is not yet clear which medication can effectively cure ADHD. In
addition, medications are drastic in nature. The aim of prescribing medication is to impact
testosterone and the autonomic nervous system. However, the two have an impact on other
aspects of the human body. To this end, the medication will extend beyond the behavior
treated. Any medication that affects the working of testosterone seeks to reduce hyperactivity
in children. Testosterone is a hormone that affects other functions of the body. The
medication would thus affect the normal functioning of the body as opposed to just targeting
unrest and hyperactivity.
Overall, psychological interventions are better and more effective compared to
medications. Medications cannot bring the desired change in areas such as inadequate
linguistic functioning. Medications can also not help in solving psychological problems such
as depression and anxiety, which are commonly associated with ADHD. Play therapy and
token economy have been seen to be effective psychological interventions that can help in
managing various symptoms of ADHD.

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References

Delfos, M. F. (2004). Children and Behavioural Problems : Anxiety, Aggression, Depression
and ADHD – A Biopsychological Model with Guidelines for Diagnostics and
Treatment. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Nizar, N. C. (2018, February). The Role Of Pschological Intervention To Improve Attention
Adhd Child. In 3rd ASEAN Conference on Psychology, Counselling, and Humanities
(ACPCH 2017) (pp. 256-260). Atlantis Press.
Haack, L. M., Villodas, M., McBurnett, K., Hinshaw, S., & Pfiffner, L. J. (2017). Parenting
as a mechanism of change in psychosocial treatment for youth with ADHD,
predominantly inattentive presentation. Journal of abnormal child psychology, 45(5),
841-855.