Self-Management Therapies and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

The lack of sufficiency of the primary treatment modalities for children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)-operant behaviormodification procedures and psychostimulant medications-have prompted exploration of cognitive-behavioral self-management treatments as altematives or adjuncts. Although self-instructional treatments are not adequate interventions for such children, reinforcement-and rehearsal-based behavioral interventions can be combined with self-management approaches to supplement and extend the gains induced by behavioral procedures. After presenting background material regarding cognitive-behavioral treatments for ADHD, we present case material related to multimodality treatment, with focus on training in anger management and self-evaluation skills. We argue against unsubstantiated claims for the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral interventions but contend that, when combined with pharnacologic and behavioral approaches, self-management procedures deserve consideration for the difficult social and behavioral problems of ADHD children.