Attention Deficit Hyperactivi... Video Transcript

Webcast Transcript

What we're trying to do is just reward these children for behaviors that are very difficult for them to achieve or accomplish.

LISA CLARK: What are good rewards for parents to set up for their kids?

DR. PETER JENSEN: Well frequently, a parent has to think probably about short-term rewards and longer-term rewards. So on a daily basis, for example, maybe the child might get to choose a dessert or a little extra snack. Or 15 minutes of extra TV time or staying up late. Frequently rewards that don't cost a lot, that are easily implement, that fit within the family's values. And when you earn those rewards, they might also mount up for points. And so these points might be a special fishing trip with Dad, or the family goes out to MacDonald's on the weekend or something. And so you want to encourage both short-term daily behavior, as well as maintenance of the behavior over longer term periods, which is the purpose of the longer term rewards.

LISA CLARK: Where can parents go to find somebody to help them set up a behavioral therapy program at home?

DR. PATRICIA QUINN: Well certainly referrals from their pediatrician to other mental health professionals. But one place is, if we're going to use a behavior program, we want the same behavior program in school and at home. So frequently I ask the parents to talk with the school psychologist or someone in the school setting, so you can set up a program that will carry over in both places. Or other mental health professionals in the community. But you need to make sure, again, that it's consistent—for example, if the child is living in two homes in a divorced family, that it's the same program in both places. Or if the child's visiting the grandmother, it's the same program there. But also that it's the same program at school as well.

LISA CLARK: A team approach.

DR. PATRICIA QUINN: A team approach.

LISA CLARK: Thank you both for joining us for this discussion. And thanks to all of you in our web audience as well. I'm Lisa Clark

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