Supporting Caregivers of Children with ADHD An Integrated Parenting Program, Therapist Guide

Effective parenting is essential to the success of children with ADHD. At the same time, difficult child behavior contributes to parenting stress and often evokes harsh responses from caregivers, leading to increasing problems over time. What makes this process even more challenging is that ADHD and related problems-like executive functioning deficits, emotion dysregulation, and depression-run in families. It is difficult for parents to support a child's learning and social environment if they themselves struggle with disorganization, low motivation, poor planning, and other executive functioning difficulties.

Supporting Caregivers of Children with ADHD integrates behavioral, cognitive, and emotion-focused intervention components into straightforward treatment for both parents and children. Sessions included in this therapist guide incorporate group discussion, modeling, role play, and home exercises that involve practicing behavioral parenting techniques and/or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) skills. With the use of this manual, clinicians will gain the expertise to guide parents in effectively supporting their children's behavioral and emotional regulation by creating and maintaining a calm and consistent home environment.

Andrea Chronis-Tuscano is Professor of Psychology at the University of Maryland, where she directs the Maryland ADHD Program and SUCCEEDS College ADHD Clinic. Her research focuses on the development and implementation of parenting interventions with a focus on parent mental health.

Kelly O'Brien is Research Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is also a licensed psychologist in private practice at Alvord, Baker & Associates, LLC in Chevy Chase, Maryland where she is the director of the Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) program.

Christina M. Danko is Assistant Clinical Professor in the Psychology Department at the University of Maryland, College Park where she serves as faculty for the Master of Professional Studies in Clinical Psychological Science program. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and PCIT-certified therapist.