The purpose of this study was to show how non-pharmacological treatments are a necessary component of treating ADHD. It was a review of evidence-based, non-pharmacological literature published for the treatment of ADHD. The independent variable was non-pharmacological treatment, and the dependent variable of the study was Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Initially, pharmacological interventions were utilized mainly among children with ADHD; however, due to the limitations of the pharmacological interventions, like adverse reactions and inefficacy of the drugs in some cases, researchers have explored the use of non-pharmacological interventions, as pharmacological interventions are not recommended to provide to children who are under 6 years of age. Non-pharmacological interventions are divided into two categories: psychological and psychoeducational interventions. Psychological interventions are based on the concepts of cognitive behavioral therapy and behavioral therapy, parent training, and social skills training. Psychoeducational interventions include learning in a school setting, categorized into academic interventions focused on the child to improve school functioning by adapting school materials and by creating customized educational plans as per the child’s needs, and school-based interventions, which involve teacher training equipping them with the knowledge and teaching them effective behavioral techniques to practice in the classroom. In preschool children, the early onset of symptoms seems to be associated with more serious symptoms of the disorder, so early identification and treatment of ADHD are important. In addition, similar symptoms and other disorders are observed in the school-age children. Due to the presence of comorbid conditions along with ADHD, emotional and social problems arise, and behavior therapy along with parent training, social skills training, and school academic interventions are used. In school-age children, multiple intervention modalities are utilized, so it gets difficult to identify which intervention is more effective, a single intervention or a combination of all of them. The major conclusion of this study was that non-pharmacological interventions are effective in ADHD treatment. However, more research should be conducted to make it an established practice. However, those who manifest severe symptoms will need pharmacological intervention along with non-pharmacological treatment to get better efficacy of both modalities. 

Reference: 

Serrano-Troncoso, E., Guidi, M., & Alda-Díez, J. Ángel. (2013). Is psychological treatment efficacious for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? Review of nonpharmacological treatments in children and adolescents with ADHD. Actas Españolas De Psiquiatría, 41(1), 44– 51. Retrieved from https://actaspsiquiatria.es/index.php/actas/article/view/653