title: Family intervention for home-based problems of adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
abstract: Adolescents with ADHD frequently argue with their parents about a variety of issues, especially when they also have Oppositional Defiant Disorder or Conduct Disorder. Family interventions have proven effective for ameliorating such conflicts in two independent investigations. After a comprehensive assessment including family interviews and self-report inventories, the therapist first teaches the parents contingency management techniques and then teaches the parents and adolescent problem solving communication skills. Contingency management techniques include one-on-one time, effective commands, positive incentive systems, and punishment systems. Problem solving involves discussing a specific dispute by defining the problem, generating a list of solutions, evaluating the solutions, and reaching a compromise. Communication training involves identifying specific negative communication skills and replacing them with positive communication skills. This article reviews research and provides practitioners with specific guidelines for implementing these family interventions.
authors.affiliation: Child Psychiatry and Psychology Department, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 3901 Beaubien Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. arobin@med.wayne.edu
authors.forename: Arthur L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Robin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D003142:Communication; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003376:Counseling; D005190:Family; D005195:Family Relations; D006801:Humans; D010290:Parents