ADHD Group Proposal

The objective of this group is to empower and provided psychoeducation to children and families who have a love one who is living with ADHD. The type of group therapy that will be utilized during the sessions will be psychoeducation. I have chosen to utilize psychoeducation because these types of groups have shown to help young children and teens address issues of self-esteem, social skills, and dealing with their disorder (Schwiebert and Sealander, 1995). In addition, the families of the children can also benefit from psychoeducation because it can help parents understand the disorder and can learn techniques to reduce negative behaviors (Aust, 1994; White & Rouge, 2003). Moreover, I feel that groups can also help the children and families

Due to these requirements, the group would be a close group and would only take children if they were referred. I would coordinate with the school to use one of the rooms to hold the weekly sessions. The only materials required for the group to meet would be chairs, projector, and whiteboard with markers. The psychoeducation group would consist of a max of 6 children and their parents for the first session. I would hold one meeting per week, for 60 minutes. Important to realize, that parents are busy and the children may have a difficult time being in a room for longer periods of time. The first meeting the parents and children would attend to address the goal of the group, confidentiality, and what the next seven weeks would hold in place. I would clarify the purpose of the group. Next, explain who I was and what my role would be in the group. I would explain how the group process would work each session. I would also explain the rules of being in the group. I would try to keep the rules simple such as; keep quiet when others are speaking, raise your hand to speak, participate in the discussion, and keep everything discussed in the room. I would then process to allow the members to introduce each other and give them a couple minutes to talk. I would provide time for questions and close the session. For the following sessions, I would hold a clear layout agenda

Discuss ground rules of confidentiality, attendance, no attacking of others.
• Children s will be given an opportunity to discuss their own ADHD diagnosis and express associated feelings

Weekly Exercise
1. Children s will gain increased knowledge of ADHD. Deep Breathing exercises and coloring
2. Children s will identify behaviors associated with ADHD and the effect of these behaviors in relation to school. Use short role-plays to demonstrate
3. Children s will learn and practice strategies to support their behaviors. Make a picture their strengths
4. Children s will practice identifying triggers and who they can go to for help. Discuss ways to deal with situations.
5. Children will make a list of what they can do to help them keep calm
6. Children will have time to build a puzzle/ Legos to work on concentration.
7. Children s will the have opportunity to work on organizational skills
8. Children s will identify what they have learned and make a book to take.

• Have children share these in large group
• Summarize—what stood out, feelings about the group, one thing they plan to do differently. Hand out agenda to share with parents. Remind them of next meeting