Maryland ADHD Program

Mission Statement

• Conducting clinical research that advances our knowledge about the assessment and treatment of ADHD
• Providing comprehensive, empirically-based assessment and treatment of ADHD and associated behavior problems
• Training the next generation of child clinical psychologists in evidence-based assessment and treatment practices
• Educating parents, schools, and the community about empirically-based assessment and treatment for ADHD

• Comprehensive Assessments
  Comprehensive evaluations include the administration of a semi-structured parent interview, the collection of parent and teacher behavior ratings, the administration of educational tests, observations of parent-child interactions, and the assessment of parent/family functioning. We also routinely observe children's behavior in the school setting in order to obtain information about academic and social functioning.
• Behavioral Parent Training
  The behavior of children with ADHD can be challenging to manage. We work with parents on their consistent use of effective behavior management strategies in the home. Strategies covered in these sessions include praising children's positive behaviors, ignoring mild but annoying behaviors, giving effective directions, using time out for more serious behaviors, and developing home token and point systems.
• Behavioral Consultation in the School Setting
  Children with ADHD are often severely impaired socially and academically in the school setting. Our therapists routinely visit the children's schools to observe his/her classroom behavior. Therapists also work with teachers to develop individualized behavioral programs in the classroom, which typically includes a Daily Report Card. Parents are involved in this process. We also work to build a partnership between families and schools that involves increasing parent-teacher communication, teaching parents about educational services that may be available for their children, and encouraging parents to provide reinforcement for school behavior.
• Parent-Adolescent Communication and Negotiation Training
  Parents and teenagers often have difficulty communicating effectively with one another. These problems are typically more severe when the adolescent has ADHD. This treatment involves teaching parents and teens strategies for more effective communication and problem-solving around "hot" issues. Behavioral Contracting is an important part of this intervention.
  
  

Additional Services