Attention deficit and oppositional behavior

After appropriate evaluation, attention deficit and oppositional disorders in children and teens may be treated with a behavioral approach involving parents as well.  For parents, a background can be found in Dr. Russell Barkley's book, Your Defiant Child: 8 Steps to Better Behavior (New York: Guilford Press, 1998). The behavioral approach may be combined with referral for a medication evaluation.

For clinicians, Barkley's book ADHD and the Nature of Self-Control, New York: Guilford, 1997 describes research up to that time and speculates on the role of prefrontal cortex in attention and self-control. The other publications shown below provide structured recommendations on testing, diagnosis, medication, and behavioral treatment of ADHD and of Oppositional-Defiant Behavior, either for clinicians (1, 2, 5, 6, 7) or parents (3, 4, 8).

1. Barkley, R. A. (1981). Hyperactive Children: A Handbook for Diagnosis and Treatment. New York: Guilford Publications.
2. Barkley, R. A. (1990). Attention Deficit Hyperactivitv Disorder: A Handbook for Diagnosis and Treatment. New York: Guilford Publications.
3. Barkley, R. A. (1995) Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents. New York: Guilford Publications.
4. Barkley, R. A., & Benton, C. (1998). Your Defiant Child: 8 Steps to Better Behavior. New York: Guilford.
5. Mash, E. J. & Barkley, R. A. (Eds.) (1996). Child Psychopathology. New York: Guilford Publications.
6. Barkley, R. A. (1997). Defiant Children: A Clinician’s Manual for Assessment and Parent Training (2nd ed.). New York: Guilford Publications.
7. Barkley, R. A. & Murphy, K. R. (1998). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Clinical Workbook (2nd ed.). New York: Guilford.
8. Barkley, R. A. (2005) Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents (3rd edition). New York: Guilford.

These books can be found at:

http://www.russellbarkley.org/barkley-books-videos.htm