Can Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) help children in school?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy that uses talking to help change your thinking and behavior. It's like having a conversation to untangle negative thought patterns and replace them with positive habits. This method is particularly effective for various psychological issues, and it's goal-oriented, meaning it focuses on achieving specific aims. In CBT, practical homework is often part of the process, making it a hands-on approach to improving mental health.

One area where CBT shows promise is in helping students with ADHD. A study incorporated CBT in a planning-focused approach involving the students and their parents. This method improved students' planning skills significantly. In a visual abstract of the study, it's noted that the therapy included eight sessions for adolescents and two for parents, focusing on personal goals and using motivational interviewing and workbooks.

In another study, researchers compared two types of CBT for adolescents with ADHD: planning-focused CBT and solution-focused CBT. The planning-focused approach, which emphasized planning skills, was slightly more effective. It led to significant improvements in ADHD symptoms and planning problems, as observed by parents and teachers. Both parents and therapists more positively received this method.

Further demonstrating the effectiveness of skill-based therapy, a study found that organizational skills training (OST) significantly improved the organizational and academic abilities of children with ADHD. This training, which included managing binders and planners, led to enhanced parent-rated organization skills, decreased inattention, and even an increase in GPA for the children involved.

The Homework Organization and Planning Skills (HOPS) intervention further highlights the importance of structured organizational systems for students with ADHD. This intervention, focusing on binder organization and planner checks by teachers, resulted in improved organization skills, less life interference, and better family conflict scores. The study underscored the link between organized binders and planners with better outcomes for those with ADHD.

Medication, like Ritalin (methylphenidate), is another important component in managing ADHD. It can improve organizational skills and reduce symptoms, but it may not be entirely sufficient on its own. Some children with ADHD might still struggle, indicating the potential need for additional treatments like CBT for better results.

In summary, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, particularly when focused on planning and organization, can be a powerful tool in helping children with ADHD. These studies show that when CBT is used alongside traditional methods like medication, or even on its own with a focus on practical skills, it can lead to significant improvements in the academic and daily lives of these students.