Child-Counsellor Perspective on ADHD – Cadabams CDC
Every parent wants clear, practical answers when their child is diagnosed with ADHD. Below is the exact roadmap our child-counsellors at Cadabams CDC follow—explained in everyday language so you can decide with confidence.
1. Quick Snapshot: What Every Parent Needs to Know First
- Behaviour therapy is the first-line treatment for children under 6 (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2023)
- 70 % of young children show measurable improvement after 12–16 sessions of parent-training alone
- Medication is only added when behaviour strategies, classroom supports, and home routines are fully in place and symptoms still cause impairment
2. Child-Counsellor’s Lens: How We Diagnose & Plan ADHD Treatment
Initial Assessment Tools
- Conners 4 Parent & Teacher scales
- Vanderbilt ADHD Rating Scales
- 60-minute play-based observation in our ADHD clinic
Behaviour-Therapy Goals We Set With Parents
- Reduce disruptive behaviours by 30 % in 4 weeks
- Increase on-task behaviour during homework to 15 minutes straight
- Teach one self-regulation skill (e.g., “Stop-Think-Do”)
When We Consider Medication Input
- If behaviour therapy plus school accommodations do not improve classroom safety or learning after 3 months
- Always discussed jointly with parents and paediatrician; never the default first step
3. Behaviour Therapy First Explained
Parent-Management Training (PMT) Steps
- Baseline log: Track 3 target behaviours for 1 week
- Instruction & modelling: Counsellor demonstrates praise & limit-setting
- Rehearsal: Parents practise in session with their child
- Home implementation: Daily 10-minute “special time” and clear reward chart
- Review & tweak: Weekly 15-minute call to adjust the plan
Token-Economy & Reward Systems That Work at Home
- Use poker chips or printed tokens the child can see and count
- Immediate reward (extra story, 10 minutes of Lego) within 30 minutes of earning 5 tokens
- Reset board every evening to keep motivation high
School Collaboration
- Our counsellors send a one-page “Teacher Tip Sheet” covering seating, movement breaks, and fidget tools
- Monthly 15-minute Zoom check-ins with the class teacher to align strategies
4. Therapy vs Medication: A Balanced Comparison
| Approach | Pros | Cons | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Behaviour Therapy First | Builds lifelong skills; zero side-effects; improves parent-child bond | Requires parent time; slower initial gains | 8–12 weeks for first noticeable changes |
| Stimulant Medication | Quick symptom reduction (within days) | Appetite & sleep issues; requires monitoring | Added only after 3 months of solid therapy |
| Our counsellors follow a shared-decision model: you stay in the driver’s seat, we provide the map. |
5. What Happens in Weekly ADHD Counselling Sessions
- Kids under 8: 45-minute play sessions using emotion cards, role-play, and sensory toys to practise waiting and turn-taking
- Older children: Executive-function coaching—breaking homework into 10-minute blocks, using visual timers, and self-checklists
- Parent “micro-sessions” every 4th week: 20-minute slot to review charts, solve new problems, and celebrate wins
6. Real Outcomes: Milestones Parents Can Expect
- 4–6 weeks: Child can sit for homework for 10–15 minutes without reminders
- 3 months: 1–2 letter-grade improvement in favourite subject; fewer phone calls from school
- 6–12 months: Reports from child like “I feel proud when I finish my work,” and measurable rise on self-esteem questionnaires
7. Insurance & Accessibility Snapshot
- Insurance panels: HDFC Ergo, Aditya Birla, ICICI Lombard, Star Health
- Tele-behaviour therapy: Evening slots 4 pm–8 pm IST, works on any smartphone
- Flexible scheduling: Saturday morning or early-bird 7 am appointments for working parents