Effectiveness of the Challenging Horizons After-School Program for young adolescents with ADHD

Behav Ther. 2011 Sep;42(3):462-74. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2010.11.008. Epub 2011 Mar 30.

Abstract

There are no empirically supported psychosocial treatments for adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study examined the treatment benefits of the Challenging Horizons Program (CHP), a psychosocial treatment program designed to address the impairment and symptoms associated with this disorder in young adolescents. In addition to evaluating social and academic functioning outcomes, two critical questions from previous studies pertaining to the timing, duration, and family involvement in treatment were addressed. Forty-nine students recruited in two cohorts were randomly assigned to receive either the CHP or a community care condition. Outcomes suggested that students who received the CHP improved compared to students in the control condition on measures of symptoms and impairment. Implications related to timing, duration, and family involvement are reported, as well as recommendations for future studies.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / therapy*
  • Child
  • Educational Status*
  • Family / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychotherapy / methods*
  • Schools
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Social Adjustment*
  • Time Factors
  • Wechsler Scales / statistics & numerical data