Summer Treatment Programs for Youth with ADHD

Abstract

Synopsis Children with ADHD require intensive treatments to remediate functional impairments and promote the development of adaptive skills. The summer treatment program (STP) is an exemplar of intensive treatment for ADHD. In the STP, evidence-based interventions are embedded into academic and recreational activities, and the treatment program occurs throughout the summer months. STP intervention components include a reward and response cost point system, time out, use of antecedent control (i.e., clear commands, establishment of rules and routines), and liberal praise and rewards for appropriate behavior. Parents also participate in parent management training programming to learn how to implement similar treatment procedures within the home setting. There have been a number of studies of the STP and its component parts. There is a strong evidence base in support of the efficacy of the STP as an intervention for ADHD.

Improving homework performance among children with ADHD: A randomized clinical trial.

“…The children in this study attended the STP from 8am to 5pm, 5 days per week, for 8 consecutive weeks. The STP is an evidence-based, comprehensive behavioral treatment for ADHD that includes a point system, contingent rewards, and social reinforcement for appropriate behavior (Evans, Owens, & Bunford, 2014; Fabiano, Schatz, & Pelham, 2014; Pelham & Fabiano, 2008). Children spent seven hours per day in recreational settings and two hours per day in an analog classroom setting (divided into two periods).…”

ADHD: Overdiagnosed and overtreated, or misdiagnosed and mistreated?

“…38 In the long term, combination therapy leads to better outcomes 38 and enables the use of lower medication dosages to achieve results similar to those with drug therapy alone (Figure 2). [39][40][41] Behavioral intervention has modest advantages over medicine for non-ADHD symptoms, 42 as the practice satisfi es the adage "pills don't teach skills." 26 One advantage is that caregivers take an active role in managing child compliance, social interactions, and classroom deportment, as opposed to the relatively passive role of prescribing medicine only.…”

Use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Token Economy to Alleviate Dysfunctional Behavior in Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

“…This technique selects target behaviors and specific criteria to reach behavioral targets (26). The efficacy of using CBT to improve specific behaviors has to be shown with more use of evidence-based practices.…”