Therapy is part of the treatment for most kids who have ADHD. If you go to therapy, you will have regular meetings with a therapist to help with the problems that ADHD can cause.
In therapy, kids learn learn skills like listening and paying attention better.
Some kids with ADHD also go to another type of therapy, called occupational therapy. This helps when handwriting or balance are hard because of ADHD or a learning disability.
Therapy helps kids with ADHD do better in school and at home. Kids might learn to:
Some kids need therapy to help ease difficult emotions. Kids might feel bad about themselves because of the trouble ADHD causes. They might lose confidence or think they can't do things well. They might feel sad, worried, angry, or frustrated because of ADHD.
When kids go to therapy, they work out these emotions. They learn skills that help with ADHD. This lets them do better and feel better about themselves. Therapy helps kids feel happier and more confident.
In ADHD therapy, kids learn by doing, playing, and practicing. A therapist will do activities with you that teach skills you need, like paying attention or using good study habits.
Therapists help kids feel encouraged and supported as they learn.
At the beginning, your therapist will talk with you and your parent, ask questions, and listen to learn more about how ADHD affects you. Together you will make goals for what you want to improve.
In therapy sessions, you and your therapist might:
How long therapy lasts will depend on your goals. Most of the time, a therapist will want to meet with you once a week for a few months. After that, you can go back as needed.
Having ADHD isn't a kid's fault. But there are things that you can learn in therapy to help things get better.
Here are some ways to build on the work you will do in therapy:
Reviewed by: Shirin Hasan, MD
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2022
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