Some Thoughts on Counseling Goals for ADHD

What should the goals for counseling be when theonly 20% of the time. ADHD kids also tend to have
patient has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?more negative thoughts. Teach the child to be aware
Every therapist will have their own opinions, but I'llof his or her own thoughts, and to control them to
give you some of my thoughts.be on-task more and to be more positive.
First, it is important to teach the child or teen withFifth, teach the child social skills as needed. Some kids
ADHD how to recognize problems and how to solvehave great social skills, some do not. Moral reasoning
problems. There are many good problem solvingoften needs to fit into here as well. It is odd to say,
techniques that young people can quickly learn, andbut there are some kids that I see who seem as if
these are great tools to teach them.they have no conscience whatsoever. Moral
Second, it is important to teach the child or teen howreasoning is often more important than just the social
to think before they act, how to be less impulsive,skills training. Many sociopaths have great
how to have greater self-control. Without goodinterpersonal skills, but without the morals or values
internal controls the natural tendency towardto guide them.
impulsive behaviors will cause the ADHD person manyFinally, anger management training and relaxation
heart aches.training as needed. I'm sure there are many other
Third, it is important to teach the child or teen withgoals which are equally noble, and which ought to be
ADHD to respect others, and other's property, asmentioned. But this was my list of thoughts, and I
well as to respect himself and his property.think each goal listed above is important to deal with
Fourth, it is important to teach the child or teen toand achieve in counseling/therapy. If I could
monitor his or her thoughts. It has been reportedaccomplish the above list with a client, then I would
that the thoughts of ADHD kids are Off-Task atconsider the therapy to have been a success.
least 60% of the time compared to non-ADDers at