Supporting Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD
At Raising Brave Kids, we understand that Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is about much more than difficulty paying attention or sitting still. ADHD can affect a child's ability to manage emotions, follow through on tasks, organize their thoughts, navigate friendships, and meet everyday expectations.
For families, this might look like constant reminders, homework battles, emotional outbursts, forgotten assignments, impulsive decisions, or a child who seems capable of doing something one day but struggles to do it the next.
Children may begin to believe they're lazy, difficult, or simply not trying hard enough. Meanwhile, parents can feel caught between wanting to support their child and worrying that they're not holding them accountable enough.
ADHD is a neuro-developmental condition, not a lack of motivation or a parenting failure. Children with ADHD often need different kinds of support, clearer structures, and opportunities to develop skills in ways that work with their brains.
At Raising Brave Kids, we provide Parent Management Training (PMT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help children, teens, and families navigate ADHD with greater understanding, confidence, and practical tools.
Our approach is informed by evidence-based treatment recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), with an emphasis on behavioral interventions, parent coaching, and collaboration with schools and medical providers..
Understanding ADHD in Children and Teens
ADHD affects attention, activity level, impulse control, and executive functioning. Although many people associate ADHD with hyperactivity, not every child with ADHD is constantly moving or visibly impulsive.
ADHD can present primarily with inattentive symptoms, hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, or a combination of both.
Common signs of ADHD include:
Difficulty sustaining attention or completing tasks
Frequently losing belongings or forgetting instructions
Trouble organizing schoolwork, materials, or routines
Difficulty getting started on tasks
Excessive movement, fidgeting, or restlessness
Interrupting others or acting before thinking
Difficulty waiting or taking turns
Struggling with transitions or changes in plans
Difficulty managing frustration and strong emotions
Trouble estimating time or completing multistep activities
Challenges maintaining friendships or navigating social expectations
Inconsistent performance despite having the skills to succeed
ADHD can look different across developmental stages. Younger children may struggle with transitions, following directions, or regulating their behavior. School-age children may experience increasing difficulty with homework, organization, and classroom expectations. Teens may struggle with planning, time management, independence, and balancing multiple responsibilities.
Many children with ADHD also experience anxiety, depression, learning differences, or other co-occurring conditions. Understanding the whole child is essential to developing an effective treatment plan.
ADHD Assessment and Diagnosis
If you suspect your child may have ADHD, getting a thorough evaluation is an important first step toward understanding their needs and identifying appropriate supports.
At Raising Brave Kids, we specialize in providing therapy and parent management training for children and teens with ADHD. We do not provide comprehensive ADHD diagnostic evaluations or neuropsychological testing.
For families seeking an ADHD diagnosis, we recommend starting with your child's pediatrician or primary care provider. They can evaluate ADHD symptoms, consider other possible explanations, and help determine whether additional assessment is needed.
In some cases, a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation may be helpful, particularly when there are questions about learning differences, executive functioning, or co-occurring developmental concerns.
Once your family has a clearer understanding of your child's needs, our therapists can help translate recommendations into practical strategies through Parent Management Training (PMT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and individualized support.
What Does the Research Recommend for ADHD Treatment?
When it comes to ADHD, not all treatments have the same level of research supporting them. Understanding which approaches are recommended can help families make informed decisions about their child's care.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend evidence-based ADHD treatments that vary depending on a child's age.
These recommendations emphasize three important components of care: behavioral interventions, medication when developmentally appropriate, and support within the school environment.
Preschool: Parent Training and Behavioral Interventions First
For preschool-aged children (4-6 years old) with ADHD, the CDC and AAP recommend Parent Training in Behavior Management and/or behavioral classroom interventions as the first line of treatment.
Parent training helps caregivers learn effective strategies for managing challenging behaviors, building positive parent-child interactions, and creating environments that support a child's developing self-regulation skills.
For young children, this is especially important because they are still developing the ability to independently manage their attention, emotions, and behavior.
If behavioral interventions do not provide sufficient improvement and significant difficulties continue, a medical provider may consider medication after carefully weighing the benefits and risks.
Read the CDC's recommendations for young children with ADHD.
School Age: Medication and Behavioral Treatment Together
For school-age children (6-12 years old), the AAP recommends FDA-approved ADHD medication alongside Parent Training in Behavior Management and/or behavioral classroom interventions, preferably both.
Medication can help reduce core ADHD symptoms, including inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Behavioral interventions provide families and educators with strategies for supporting positive behavior and improving daily functioning.
School-based interventions and individualized educational supports are also important components of treatment.
These approaches work in different ways and are often most effective when combined.
Read the AAP's clinical practice guideline for ADHD treatment.
Tweens & Teens: Medication, Behavioral Support, and Increasing Independence
For adolescents (12-17 years old) with ADHD, the AAP recommends FDA-approved medication with the teen's assent and encourages evidence-based behavioral or training interventions when available.
School supports remain an important part of treatment.
As children grow older, treatment may also focus on developing organization, planning, time management, self-advocacy, and increasing independence.
Teens benefit from being active participants in their treatment and learning strategies that feel relevant to their everyday lives.
Learn more about the CDC's ADHD treatment recommendations by age.
Why Parent Training in Behavior Management Matters
One of the most important recommendations from the CDC is that behavioral treatment for young children with ADHD should focus on teaching parents effective behavior management strategies, rather than relying on individual talk therapy or play therapy alone.
According to the CDC, Parent Training in Behavior Management is an effective treatment that helps parents learn strategies to support their child's behavior, self-control, and relationships.
This typically includes positive reinforcement, clear expectations, consistent responses, predictable routines, and practical strategies for managing challenging behaviors.
The CDC also notes that traditional talk therapy and play therapy have not been shown to improve core ADHD symptoms in young children.
This doesn't mean that individual therapy has no place in ADHD care. Children may also benefit from support for anxiety, emotional regulation, self-esteem, or other challenges. However, these approaches should not be presented as substitutes for evidence-based ADHD behavioral treatment.
At Raising Brave Kids, we believe families deserve to understand the research behind treatment recommendations and have access to support that is appropriate for their child's developmental needs.
Learn more: CDC Parent Training in Behavior Management.
Our Approach to ADHD Treatment at Raising Brave Kids
At Raising Brave Kids, we provide Parent Management Training (PMT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help children, teens, and families navigate the challenges associated with ADHD.
Our approach combines evidence-based behavioral strategies with individualized support for executive functioning, emotional regulation, anxiety, and self-confidence.
We recognize that effective ADHD treatment often involves multiple approaches. While we do not prescribe or manage medication, we support families in making informed treatment decisions and collaborate with pediatricians and other medical providers when medication is part of a child's care.
1. Parent Management Training (PMT)
Parent Management Training is a central part of our ADHD treatment approach, particularly for younger children.
Rather than relying solely on individual therapy with the child, we work directly with parents to develop practical strategies that support behavior, emotional regulation, and everyday functioning.
This may include:
Building predictable routines and clear expectations
Using positive reinforcement and effective rewards
Reducing power struggles and repeated reminders
Supporting transitions and difficult daily routines
Responding effectively to impulsivity and challenging behaviors
Strengthening positive parent-child interactions
Helping children develop greater independence over time
Our therapists help parents understand why certain behaviors occur and how to respond in ways that support learning, connection, and lasting change.
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for ADHD
CBT can be a valuable component of ADHD treatment, particularly for older children and teens who are developing greater independence and experiencing challenges with organization, emotional regulation, or negative thinking patterns.
At Raising Brave Kids, CBT is adapted to each child's developmental needs and may focus on:
Understanding their unique brain and a diagnosis of ADHD
Recognizing unhelpful thinking patterns
Developing a kind & compassionate inner voice
Building problem-solving skills & more fle
Managing frustration and strong emotions
Developing organizational and planning strategies
Reducing avoidance and procrastination
Strengthening confidence and self-advocacy
Addressing co-occurring anxiety and mood concerns
CBT does not replace Parent Management Training or other recommended ADHD treatments. Instead, it can complement behavioral interventions by helping children develop practical skills and a more supportive understanding of themselves.
3. Executive Functioning and Everyday Skills
Children with ADHD often need more than reminders to stay organized, manage time, or complete tasks.
We help children and families develop practical systems that make everyday expectations more manageable.
This might include breaking tasks into smaller steps, creating visual reminders, building homework routines, developing organizational systems, and practicing strategies for getting started on difficult tasks.
Our goal is to help children gradually build independence while recognizing that executive functioning skills develop over time.
4. Supporting Emotional Regulation and Confidence
Many children with ADHD experience frequent frustration, emotional outbursts, sensitivity to criticism, or discouragement when they struggle to meet expectations.
Through CBT and parent coaching, we help children develop emotional awareness, coping strategies, flexible thinking, and problem-solving skills.
We also work with families to reduce shame and help children understand their ADHD without defining themselves by their challenges.
Our goal is not to change who your child is. It's to help them build skills, recognize their strengths, and feel more confident navigating everyday life.
Working Closely with Families and Schools
Meaningful progress with ADHD rarely happens through therapy sessions alone.
Children benefit when the important adults in their lives understand their needs and work together to provide consistent expectations, structure, and encouragement.
At Raising Brave Kids, we collaborate closely with parents and caregivers to develop strategies that can be practiced throughout the week.
When appropriate and with parent permission, we also coordinate with teachers, school counselors, pediatricians, and other professionals involved in a child's care.
School collaboration may include:
Identifying classroom accommodations
Developing positive behavioral supports
Creating homework and organizational systems
Supporting communication between home and school
Addressing emotional or behavioral challenges in the classroom
Helping families navigate 504 Plans or Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
Our goal is to help children experience support across the settings where they spend their time, rather than expecting them to independently apply new skills without the structures they need.
ADHD and Anxiety: When Both Are Present
ADHD and anxiety frequently occur together, and understanding the relationship between them is an important part of effective treatment.
Sometimes a child appears inattentive because they're overwhelmed by worry. Other times, difficulties with organization, impulsivity, or missed expectations create anxiety about school, friendships, or performance.
A child with both ADHD and anxiety may avoid homework because it feels overwhelming, become highly distressed about making mistakes, or struggle with transitions because they involve both executive functioning demands and uncertainty.
At Raising Brave Kids, our specialty in childhood anxiety allows us to thoughtfully consider how these challenges interact.
We may integrate ADHD-focused behavioral interventions with CBT, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) when clinically indicated, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and parent coaching.
The goal is to identify what is driving the difficulty rather than treating every behavior as though it has the same cause.
Why Early Support Matters
ADHD is not something children simply need to try harder to overcome.
Without appropriate support, difficulties with attention, impulse control, organization, and emotional regulation can affect academic progress, relationships, family functioning, and self-esteem.
Over time, children may begin to avoid challenging tasks or develop negative beliefs about their abilities.
Early intervention helps families build effective routines, reduce conflict, and provide children with tools that support their development.
It also gives parents an opportunity to better understand their child's needs before patterns of frustration and discouragement become more established.
Treatment is not about changing who your child is. It's about helping them develop skills and creating environments where they can succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions About ADHD Treatment
What is the best treatment for ADHD in children?
The most effective approach depends on the child's age and individual needs.
For children younger than six, parent training in behavior management is recommended as the first line of treatment. For school-age children, treatment recommendations generally include medication alongside behavioral interventions and school supports.
Does my child need ADHD medication?
Medication is an important evidence-based treatment for ADHD, particularly for school-age children and teens. Whether it is appropriate for your child should be discussed with a qualified medical provider who can evaluate symptoms, functional impairment, benefits, and potential side effects.
Our therapists can collaborate with prescribing providers as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Does Raising Brave Kids provide ADHD testing or diagnosis?
We do not provide comprehensive ADHD diagnostic evaluations or neuropsychological testing.
If you're concerned your child may have ADHD, we recommend beginning with their pediatrician or primary care provider. A neuropsychological evaluation may also be appropriate when a more detailed understanding of your child's learning, attention, or developmental profile is needed.
At Raising Brave Kids, our focus is on helping children and families manage ADHD through Parent Management Training, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and development of practical skills that support everyday functioning.
What is Parent Management Training?
Parent Management Training teaches caregivers practical, research-supported strategies for improving behavior, supporting self-regulation, and reducing challenging interactions.
It is especially important for younger children and remains a valuable component of treatment for many school-age children.
Is ADHD therapy just talk therapy?
No. Effective ADHD treatment often requires more than traditional talk therapy.
Behavioral interventions, parent management training, classroom supports, and structured skill-building are important components of evidence-based care.
CBT may be useful for associated anxiety, emotional difficulties, or certain challenges in older children and teens, but it should not replace established ADHD interventions.
Can ADHD cause emotional outbursts?
Many children with ADHD struggle with frustration tolerance, impulsive reactions, and emotional regulation.
Treatment can help children develop coping skills while also teaching parents strategies to reduce escalation and respond more effectively.
Can ADHD and anxiety happen together?
Yes. ADHD and anxiety frequently co-occur.
When both are present, treatment should address each condition while considering how symptoms interact. This may involve behavioral ADHD interventions alongside CBT or exposure-based treatment for anxiety.
Do parents participate in ADHD treatment?
Absolutely. Parent involvement is a central part of our approach, particularly for younger children.
We help parents understand ADHD, develop practical strategies, and create home environments that support skill development and positive family relationships.
Can you help with ADHD challenges at school?
Yes. With appropriate consent, we can collaborate with schools and help families identify strategies that support organization, attention, emotional regulation, and classroom participation.
We can also help families better understand potential accommodations and supports through 504 Plans or IEPs.
Helping Your Child Build Skills and Confidence
Parenting a child with ADHD can sometimes feel like you're working incredibly hard without seeing the progress you hoped for.
You may have tried different strategies, read countless articles, and wondered why approaches that work for other children don't seem to work for yours.
You don't have to figure it all out alone.
At Raising Brave Kids, we help families move beyond frustration toward a clearer understanding of their child's needs and practical strategies that make everyday life more manageable.
Our goal is to help children develop confidence, build skills, and feel supported as they grow.
If your child or teen is struggling with ADHD, emotional regulation, executive functioning, or related anxiety, we'd be happy to talk about how we can support your family.
Contact Raising Brave Kids today or schedule a free 15-minute consultation to learn more about ADHD therapy and parent coaching.
ADHD Treatment Resources for Parents
Understanding ADHD and finding reliable information can make a meaningful difference in how families support their children. We've gathered some of our favorite resources for learning about ADHD, exploring evidence-based treatment options, supporting executive functioning, and navigating challenges at home and school.
Understanding ADHD & Evidence-Based Treatment
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Reliable, research-based information about ADHD symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Includes recommendations for Parent Training in Behavior Management, medication, and school-based supports.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Clinical guidance on evaluating and treating ADHD in children and adolescents, including recommendations for behavioral treatment and medication.
A parent-friendly resource from the American Academy of Pediatrics offering practical information about ADHD, treatment decisions, behavior, and school challenges.
Parenting & Everyday ADHD Support
CHADD: Children and Adults with ADHD
One of our recommended resources for families. CHADD provides evidence-informed education, parenting strategies, webinars, support groups, and guidance on navigating ADHD at home and school.
A popular resource offering articles, webinars, and practical tools for parents of children and teens with ADHD. Topics include emotional regulation, executive functioning, homework, organization, and parenting strategies.
Accessible articles and expert guidance on ADHD, emotional and behavioral challenges, treatment approaches, and supporting children with co-occurring anxiety or learning differences.
Executive Functioning & School Support
Practical tools for understanding ADHD, executive functioning, learning differences, and school accommodations. Especially helpful for parents navigating homework challenges, organization, 504 Plans, and IEPs.
Information about classroom strategies, educational supports, and ways parents and teachers can work together to support students with ADHD.
A Note About Finding the Right Support
There is a lot of information about ADHD online, and not every strategy or treatment recommendation is supported by research. We encourage families to use these resources as a starting point and work with qualified professionals to develop a plan that fits their child's individual needs.
At Raising Brave Kids, we provide Parent Management Training and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help children, teens, and families build practical skills and navigate the emotional and behavioral challenges associated with ADHD.
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