Addressing ADHD in HBFT Nancy O’Conner, MS, LCMFT C.R. Macchi, PhD, LCMFT Home-based Family Therapy Partnership The Family Center Kansas State University.

Addressing ADHD in HBFTNancy O’Conner, MS, LCMFTC.R. Macchi, PhD, LCMFTHome-based Family Therapy PartnershipThe Family CenterKansas State UniversityHBFTPartnership.com

Learning ObjectivesParticipants will…

Part I• Identify the child and other family member experiences of Attention-Deficit

Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)• Review the context of ADHD along the continuum of behavior disorders• Review the diagnostic criteria of ADHD and the varying presentations of the diagnosis• Identify common co-morbidities associated with ADHD• Develop greater awareness of the controversies associated with the diagnosis of ADHD

Part II (March 27th)• Explore effective individual and family-focused treatments for ADHD• Understand the suspected and known treatment side-effects• Review ways to collaborate with medical and school officials to help families manage

the effects of ADHD

The Experience of ADHDNoelle Demo’s Story

Public Broadcasting Service. (2001). Medicating kids. In S. Audette (Ed.), Frontline and Rain Media, Inc.

Historical Development of ADHD Diagnosis• BRAIN DYSFUNCTION (1900s to 1960s)▫ Defective moral control of behavior▫ Brain damage syndrome▫Minimal brain dysfunction (MBD)

Inclusion of inattention and impulsive behavior• BEHAVIORAL SYNDROME (1950s to 1970s)▫ Hyperactivity/hyperkenesis

• ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER (1980s to present)▫ Attention deficit▫ Behavioral inhibition

• MOTIVATIONAL DEFICIT DISORDER (1990s to present)▫ Insensitivity to behavioral consequences

Barkley, R. (2006). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment (3rd ed.). New York: Guilford.

Etiology of ADHD•Neurological factors▫Brain composition and functioning▫Neurochemical imbalance

• Genetic factors• Psychosocial ecological▫Technological developments▫Enculturation▫Child rearing

• Environmental factors▫Toxins▫Diet▫Nutrition

Hyperactivity

Poor filtering and lower threshold of stimulation

Diminished brain activity in the brain’s behavioral inhibition system (BIS)

resulting in decreases of self-regulation and

executive functioning

Attention-Deficit

Motivational Deficit

Neurological conditions produce an insensitivity to

consequences

Motivational Deficit Framework

Behavioral

Response

Cognitive Processin

g

Activating

Stimulus

Consequence/Reinforcement

ADHD Prevalence Rates• An estimated 3%-7% of children suffer from ADHD▫ Some studies suggest higher rates in community samples▫ 4:1 ratio of boys to girls with ADHD▫ Diagnosed approximately three times more often in boys than girls▫ 30-50% of those diagnosed with Predominantly Inattentive type of

ADHD have what is known as “sluggish cognitive tempo” (SCT)• Approximately 44% can be diagnosed with an additional

psychiatric disorder (comorbidity)▫ Approximately 35% of children have major depression▫ 40% of children and 65% of adolescents with ADHD also meet

criteria for ODDAmerican Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th, text revision ed.). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association.

Family

History

of ADHD

Co-morb

id Disord

er

Problem w

ith O

thers

Prevelan

ce of In

jury

Problems C

ontinuing into

Adulthood

20% 40% 50% 40% 42%

80% 60% 50% 60% 58%

Associated Issues in Those with ADHD

No Factor Factor

ADHD Statistics• 50% have problems in relationships with others• There is a 25-35% probability that if one person in a family is

diagnosed with ADHD, another person within the family has it as well

• Research indicates that children with ADHD are significantly more likely to be injured (injured while riding bicycle, head injury, injure multiple parts of the body, and accidental poisoning) than those without the diagnosis

• Children with ADHD seem to have significantly higher medical costs

Barkley, R. (2006). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment (3rd ed.). New York: Guilford.

Continuum of Diagnoses

Childhood Disruptive Behavior

ADHD Oppositional Defiant

Disorder

Conduct Disorder

Antisocial Personality

Disorder

Normal Behavior & Adjustment

Pervasive Adult

Disorder

• Hyperactivity

• Inattention

• Impulsivity

• Aggression/Cruelty

• Destruction

• Theft

• Defiance

• Anger

• Blaming

Egosyntonic/Enduring

• Aggression/Cruelty

• Destruction

• Theft

• Task-focused

• Delayed gratification

• Compassionate

• Cooperative

• Personal responsibility

DSM Criteria for ADHD

Types of ADHD• Inattentive Type

•Hyperactive-Impulsive Type

•Combined Type

American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th, text revision ed.). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association.

General Criteria for All Types of ADHD• Symptom occurrence▫Persisted for 6 months or longer▫Maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level▫Some of the symptoms that caused the impairment were

present before 7 years old▫Some impairment is present in two or more settings▫Clear evidence of clinically significant impairment in social,

academic or occupational functioning• Types of the symptoms which often apply (six or more)• Each criteria is prefaced with the word “often” underscoring

the unusual frequency of the presenting symptoms

Criteria for ADHDSymptoms of Inattention• Fails to give close attention to details• Makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities• Difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities• Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly• Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork,

chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions)

• Difficulty organizing tasks and activities• Avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained

mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework)• Loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., toys, school assignments,

pencils, books, or tools)• Easily distracted by extraneous stimuli• Forgetful in daily activities

Clinical Examples ofInattention•What are the variety of presentations you have

noticed in a child who has attention difficulties?

•What are the implications of using a motivational deficit framework for understanding the child’s inattention?

Criteria for ADHDSymptoms of Hyperactivity-Impulsivity• Hyperactivity▫ Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat▫ Inappropriately leaves seat in classroom or in other situations▫ Inappropriately runs or climbs (in adolescents and adults, may be

limited to subjective feelings of restlessness)▫ Difficulty playing or engaging quietly in leisure activities▫ “On the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor”▫ Talks excessively

• Impulsivity▫ Blurts out answers before questions have been completed▫ Difficulty awaiting turn▫ Interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or

games)

Clinical Examples ofHyperactivity-Impulsivity•What are the variety of presentations you have

noticed in a child who has hyperactivity-impulsivity issues?

•What are the implications of using a motivational deficit framework for understanding the child’s hyperactivity-impulsivity issues?

BREAK

Behavioral and Social Features of ADHD

• Low frustration tolerance•Rejection by peers•Poor self-esteem•Academic achievement impaired•Family relationships often characterized by

resentment and antagonism

Differential Diagnoses• Age-appropriate behaviors• Anxiety Disorders – PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder• Environments▫Understimulating (i.e. classroom)▫Disorganized, chaotic

• Learning disorders•Medication reactions effecting behaviors (e.g.,

bronchodilator for asthma)• History of trauma• Bipolar Disorder• Schizophrenia

Other Conditions that Mimic ADHD•Hypoglycemia•Allergies• Learning disabilities•Hyper or Hypothyroidism•Hearing and vision problems•Early onset diabetes•Heart disease and other cardiac conditions•Early onset Bi-Polar disorder•Exposure to some toxins

Other Conditions that Mimic ADHD•CAPD (Central Auditory processing Disorder)•Worms•Viral or bacterial infections•Malnutrition or improper diet•Head injuries•Streptococcus•FAS or FAE•Trauma

Co-morbidity of Disorders•Higher prevalence of the following▫Mood Disorders▫Anxiety Disorders▫Learning Disorders

•Oppositional Defiant Disorder•Conduct Disorder•Substance-related Disorders

Assessment of ADHD

ADHD Assessment• Interviewing the child• Interviewing the parents▫ Parent observations of the child’s experiences with

ADHD▫Assess for ADHD in the parent(s)

•Providing a teacher assessment of child classroom behaviors and peer relationships

Behavioral Severity Scales

Warren, M. (2002). Behavioral management guide: Essential treatment strategies for the psychotherapy of children, their parents, and families. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson.

Motivational Deficit Framework

Behavioral

Response

Cognitive Processin

g

Activating

Stimulus

Consequence/Reinforcement

Motivational Assessment•Determine the child’s…▫Level of sensitivity to external stimuli▫Degree of internal locus of control▫Level of perceived responsibility for behaviors▫Level of responsiveness to behavioral reinforcements▫Emotional connection to parents

Motivational Assessment•Determine the parents’…▫Maintenance of environmental stability▫Types and uses of natural consequences▫Level of responsiveness to child’s needs▫Attempts to reinforce child’s internal locus of control▫Emotional connection to the child▫Interpretations of child behaviors

Discuss Implications of Motivational Focus

•Assessment•Treatment planning• Interventions

** Email facilitators with specific clinical presentations. We will integrate our discussion of treatment planning and interventions to address those specific issues during Part II.

Controversies Over ADHD Diagnosis•Neurological factors•Medical factors•Behavioral factors•Social factors

Part II – Treatment and Interventions of ADHD

•March 27th, 9:00am-Noon• Learning objectives – Participants will…▫Explore effective individual and family-focused

treatments for ADHD▫Understand the suspected and known treatment side-

effects▫Review ways to collaborate with medical and school

officials to help families manage the effects of ADHD