Control of a Child with ADHD and Autism

How to Control a Child with ADHD and Autism: A Research Paper

One of the most vital elements of healthy growth and development in a child is their social environment and how they relate to it. A child's ability to live a healthy life could be affected if they cannot easily interact and communicate with other children, family members, or teachers. The two health conditions commonly known to cause this problem in children are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ADHD and ASD are also among two of the health conditions that tend to affect children simultaneously. Together, ADHD and ASD can affect a child’s growth and development by interfering with how they communicate and behave around other people. This research paper seeks to overview ADHD and ASD in children. It aims to evaluate appropriate and recommended behavioral interventions and educational and training programs on the issue. Also, the paper will suggest some medication management that could help control an affected child. Implementing proper ADHD and ASD management measures must take place to help affected children live healthy lives and assist others around them with control mechanisms.

Brief Overview of the Topic

ADHD and ASD are among two health conditions that have increasingly affected children in the last few decades, raising the need to learn how to understand and manage them. On the one hand, ADHD, characterized by symptoms like hyperactivity and impulsiveness, is one of the most common chronic health conditions, especially among children (Zablotsky et al., 2020). Further, it can impact a child's healthy growth and development and, if not managed, even persist into adulthood. On the other hand, ASD consists of a series of developmental disorders that affect an individual's language ability to socialize, learn, and behave (Zablotsky et al., 2020). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (CDC’s ADDM) Network plays a vital role in monitoring the autism situation in the US.

According to Dufault et al. (2023), data from the CDC’s ADDM Network reveals that the prevalence of ASD among 8-year-old children rose to 70 percent between the years 2000 and 2018. Also, the rate of change over that period has been worryingly substantial since it rose from 1.6 children in every 1000 between 2000 and 2010 to 2.7/1000 from 2012 to 2018 (Dufault et al., 2023). Another issue is the co-occurrence. According to Zablotsky et al. (2020), diagnosis for ASD was in approximately 1 in every eight children diagnosed with ADHD. The co-occurrence of ADHD and ASD has added to the treatment needs as well as raised the need for improved management methods.

Behavioral Interventions

There is yet to be a treatment for ASD. Unmanaged symptoms in ASD-ADHD can cause children to deteriorate in their social, emotional, physical, and educational well-being (Al Ghamdi & AlMusailhi, 2024). However, Christensen & Zubler (2020) and Al Ghamdi & AlMusailhi (2024) understand that behavioral interventions could be helpful. Interventions that can help tackle symptoms include those that concentrate on social skills training. Additionally, those that focus on repetitive or challenging behaviors for a child. Chung et al., 2024 write that using positive behavioral support (PBS) can help better understand the reason for a child’s behavior pattern. Also, pivotal response training (PRT) and early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) can boost the instilling of critical skills and instruct a child (Chung et al., 2024). Nonetheless, Al Ghamdi & AlMusailhi (2024) noted that although these behavioral treatments can be effective with ASD, it may not be the case with ADHD symptoms. In that case, it may be beneficial to combine pharmacological and psychosocial interventions for a child affected by both ASD and ADHD (Al Ghamdi & AlMusailhi, 2024).

Educational Programs and Parent Training Programs

A critical step in controlling a child with ASD-ADHD and learning to manage the conditions involves education and training for parents and caregivers. Chung et al. (2024) write that Parent-mediated intervention (PMI) is a program that can help them acquire knowledge and customized skills to help their child function and reduce challenging behaviors. Psychoeducation for caregivers on how to differentiate ASD and ADHD symptoms and behaviors comes as among the first steps in helping manage the conditions, hence getting a better grip on their children (Al Ghamdi & AlMusailhi, 2024). Furthermore, educational and training programs for parents and caregivers help to control a child. They teach parents how to help children with sleep-related issues and regulate their hygiene and social behaviors (Chung et al., 2024). Parents can also learn specific behavioral skills to help control and surveil their children when they experience ASD-ADHD symptoms, in addition to learning comprehensive early intervention techniques (Christensen & Zubler, 2020; Chung et al., 2024).

Medication Management

Pharmacological management for ASD-ADHD can be different, especially in the case where a child has either ASD or ADHD. Al Ghamdi & AlMusailhi (2024) write that for children with either of the diseases, using psychopharmacological treatments can help reduce ADHD symptoms that cause daily impairment. Antipsychotics and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can be prescribed to children with ASD because these medications may not help manage ADHD symptoms (Al Ghamdi & AlMusailhi, 2024). However, Christensen & Zubler (2020) state that drugs such as methylphenidate, atomoxetine, and guanfacine have been found beneficial in children with ADHD, although less effective. Also, medications such as risperidone and aripiprazole have shown promise in treating children with ASD. However, they must be monitored closely due to the drugs causing adverse effects (Christensen & Zubler, 2020).

Conclusion

ADHD and autism cases in children have been alarmingly increasing in the last two decades in the US. This research paper highlights the importance of ensuring the implementation of proper management measures for children affected by ASD and ADHD. One can render interventions through behavioral therapies such as teaching children social skills training and pivotal response training (PRT). They can help an affected child live a healthy life and assist other people around them with control mechanisms. Also, one can implement interventions through customized parental education, training, and using medications like methylphenidate risperidone.