Role of behaviour therapy programmes in decreasing child abuse in children with atttention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abstract EN

-Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurological condition that involves problems with inattention and hyperactivity- impulsivity that are developmentally inconsistent with the age of the child; Three subtypes of the disorder have been described: inattentive, hyperactive- impulsive, and combined types.

Research indicates that children with many of the symptoms of ADHD are at greater risk of being abused than those children without these behaviours.

An important non- medical approach used in treating children with ADHD is known as behaviour therapy.

Aims of the study: To assess the incidence and type of abuse in ADHD children and to evaluate the effect of behaviour management programmes on decreasing features of child abuse.

Methods: Intervention study, 30 ADHD children aged from 8 to 12 years, were subjected to battery of assessment that includes, scales of child abuse, IQ assessment and detection of behaviour problems of the children through scale of behavioural and emotional disorder.

Then enrolment of children in behaviour modification programme through individual tailored programme.

Reassessment after 6 months for the entire study group by the same scales used before.

Results: high incidence of child abuse was recorded with significant improvement after behaviour therapy and parental counselling.

Conclusions: ADHD children are more prone to child abuse (physical, psychological and neglect).

Significant improvement in degrees of abuse in addition to behavioural problems of the children after applications of behavioural modification programmes.