ADHD and Play Therapy 1
PACO611: Counseling the Child and Their Families (B01): Research Assignment
ADHD and Play Therapy
Uniqua K Evans
School of Behavioral Science, Liberty University
ADHD and Play Therapy 2
Abstract
In this assignment, the reader will be provided with detailed use of knowledge from various
empirical research as evidence on ADHD in childhood with play therapy utilized as an
intervention. This assignment will provide the effective use of play therapy, the challenges of
ADHD, role of the parents, also treatment strategies used in ADHD. It will also provide use of
knowledge of how it is applied in church settings such as in pastoral counselling.
Keywords: ADHD, children, parents, church, religious setting, counselors
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ADHD and Play Therapy
Introduction
Challenges of ADHD
Parents of a child with ADHD is a very challenging milestone. It is also not only a
journey for the child but also the families, teachers, and even in the church. This can lead to
barriers that the child and their support system will need to overcome together. ADHD has
multiple barriers that can prevent a child overall success in their academic, social, and personal
life interaction with others. A challenge in ADHD is its affects that can hinder a child ability to
focus in school and also have difficulties with how they are able to have social interactions with
their peers. This problem with social interaction can lead to challenges in their adolescence phase
of fitting in with their peers as well. If a child is not taught proper social skills from their
behavioral health services and from their parents, then this can lead to child feeling often isolated
and confused. For example. a child that has ADHD is experience difficulty not being able to sit
in one place for a long period of time, so they will likely do some type of movement. Or the child
has a very short attention space to where they are having difficulty completing certain task in the
home or in the classroom. These are some symptoms of when the child is experiencing some
hyperactivity. Some examples of impulsiveness are when a child being disruptive or impatient
when they are anxious to do a task. One expert also informs how children with ADHD share the
common problem with their neurotransmitters in which they have less activity in the area of the
brain that control their attention span (CDC,2011).
However, parents can help promote positive change in motivating their child to find peers
that would share similarities with their and common interests. There have been decades of study
that display the link of ADHD linked to negative outcomes in children and into adulthood. One
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expert informs how children are more at risk of having accidental injuries, and academic
challenges (Caye et. al. 2019). In their study, they study suggests how several treatment
strategies are available that ranges from dietary and medical interventions. Their research also
informs how the challenges of ADHD left untreated can transition into their adolescence phase
and their adult phase. As adolescents, the experts inform how the adolescents with ADHD are
more at risk to utilize substances such as marijuana and have a higher rate of sexual engagement
(2019). For that reason, it also shows how when they transition into adulthood that they have
lowers education, reduced job performances, increase risk of traffic accidents, criminal history,
and also higher risk of unemployment. As a result, this evidence demonstrates how undiagnosed
ADHD or untreated ADHD can cause potential negative factors in a child lifespan.
The vast amount of research on ADHD has also shown how ADHD is also connected
with antisocial behavior in any age settings. One expert also informed how ADHD and anti-
social behavior is linked also how some have “the Sense of Coherence (Dayan et. at. 2022. The
Sense of Coherence in the study is described as someone who sees their lives more logical and
meaningful from various risks. In their study, they observed the interactions and collected the
data from their anti-social behavior. The study revealed how those with the SOC factor are more
of protective risk from the adverse effects of the ADHD symptoms.
Role of the Parents
The role of the parents is vital for a child with ADHD. Parents that are apart of the
management have a more likely chance of positive outcome for their future development. It is
important that parents are involve in the interventions as early as possible so that the outcome of
their child success of more successful. The earlier that the parents become involved and provide
management towards their social skills; then they are more likely to assist in their child’s school
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challenges. A good strategy that parents can do is learn as much as they can about the diagnosis
from their child medical provider, school behavioral team, the internet, and other local resources
that is provided for them in their community. Once parents are knowledgeable in the diagnosis,
then they can proceed to ensure they child has proper assessments completed so that they can
learn how they can their child in their home environment and proper measurements in their
school life as well. Also, forming a team for the child can help provide additional services such
as parental training programs, advocating for the child for things in school such as an IEP or
Individualized Education Plan or Section 504 plan. These can help provide the proper
accommodations in their school settings as well. It is essential that a parent can work together
with the schools, medical provider, and the child to ensure the child success. Another option that
can help during the classroom setting is making sure the child has the proper accommodation on
their assignments or classroom tasks that can be incorporated into their IEP and 504 plans. By
providing these proper accusations, this can benefit he child in the classroom along with good
communication between the teachers and parents. ADHD children struggle with their
hyperactivity and it can beneficial for the instructors to find time for the child to move around a
little in the classroom due to their difficulty of movement. Most children struggle due to lack of
interest and it can helpful for the teacher to provide some creative ways in keeping them engaged
in the classroom (Center of Disease, 2011). It is also suggested how parents can also provide a
positive learning environment in the home to increase their attention span and it can also help
engage them in learning from the parents too. Another positive resources that parents can
guarantee is that their child is also healthy and active. This can increase their socials skills by
allowing them to experience sports and hobbies that are a part of the community and schools.
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A parent can learn proper behavioral management skills to use at home to help the child
attention deficit which has shown to be beneficial in a child treatment for ADHD. Also, parent
training can provide the child with clear limits and direction on what expect on this journey such
as a discipline system or helping their child learn from their mistakes. It is likely that the child
will misbehave in their life at some point and will have to learn consequences. However, a parent
of child with ADHD will need to learn how to provide effective discipline techniques so that
their child will be able to learn from his or her mistakes. A child with ADHD may have some
self esteem issues and it the parent’s responsibility to ensure that the child self-esteem is self-
regulated properly. For example, negative feedback can impact the child self-esteem and the
child may need more positive interaction. Also, a child with ADHD may have trouble making
friends due to ADHD symptoms that cause them to impulsive, possibly aggressive, and
hyperactive towards their peers. The use of parent training can provide techniques on how to
assist them with interacting with their peers more effectively and also help with identifying their
child’s strengths too.
Treatment Strategies
There are a variety of treatment techniques and behavioral management strategies to
assist in children with ADHD. The National Center of Birth Defects and Developmental
Disabilities suggests that healthcare providers can refer parents to ADHD for their child’s
behavior before taking medical intervention (CDC, 2011). The support of a healthcare provider
is beneficial along with therapists so that the child can learn how to progress their overall
functions of their diagnosis in their school and home settings. The use of a therapist and
behavioral health team can meet with the parent and the child regularly to follow up with the
child progress and also provide proper support for the family. Also, behavioral management
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teaches the child how to handle their emotions more effectively such as anger, frustrations, self-
esteem and even teach them to how to social skill building. Parents can also be involved in the
treatment interventions that has been suggested from the therapists as well. Parents will be able
to learn about positive communication, positive reinforcement, and discipline from their
behavioral health team. Also, behavioral therapy teaches the child and the parents about
controlling the behavior to assist in their ability to function in their school setting.
In one study, it provides evidence on how medical professionals consider and recommend
both medication and behavioral therapy for school age children with ADHD. The study
examined the combination of both combined behavioral and medication therapy. The study
collected data from parents of children for eight to eighteen. The results revealed how children
with ADHD were managed with both medical and behavioral therapy. The conclusion revealed
how more future research needs to be reviewed for both interventions on ADHD care. Since
ADHD can be connected to poor social communications kills, there has been some evidence of
some psychoeducational approaches that can provide some effectiveness. In another study, there
was a systemic review that provided assessing psychoeducational interventions. The experts
inform how they believe that psychoeducation can improve the social skills of young children
with ADHD (Powell, 2022). After assessing and conducting a meta analytical research, the
results revealed significant increase towards improved social skills in young children with
ADHD. The results also demonstrated how proper psychoeducation intervention should be
considered for long term use interventional methods.
The supportive approach of how ADHD is treatment is very crucial. ADHD children and
the general population benefits medication, nutrition, supplements, mediation, skills training, and
behavioral health treatment as effective support. It is very important for one to speak to a
ADHD and Play Therapy 8
medical health professional on the best treatment plan for their child as an advocate in support
their life in their ADHD journey. If the doctor consider medication, they may be prescribed a
stimulating to help control their impulsiveness and feel calmer. Also, a proper diet can also
benefit the individual as well. Some research has proven that supplements such as Omega 3 can
hep with the neurons and melatonin to assist with sleep.
Also, unmet needs with children that are diagnoses with ADHD would benefit from
outpatient mental health care (Olfson et.al. 2023). In one study, the researcher objective was to
identify and review a sample of children that are diagnosed with ADHD. In the study, it revealed
how most males between nine to ten were currently receiving ADHD medications and also how
there was a higher percentage of children receiving outpatient mental healthcare from children
who parents had a high school education. There was also higher percentage from parents who
had some college or bachelor degree education as well. This revealed that parent who did not
complete high school children were more at risk of being untreated for the ADHD (2023). It also
revealed how there are gaps in treatment due to the socioeconomic disadvantage and access to
outpatient mental healthcare for children with ADHD.
In another study, there were a systemic review that evidence based on ADHD treatments
from non-medical to medical interventions. The experts review revealed how the patients should
be shared with clinical settings to assist in proper treatment of ADHD (Caye et. al. 2019).
Therefore, the child will benefit from their medical provider, the counselor, and their school
academic team. Behavioral therapy is commonly used in the treatment for ADHD because it is a
way to help a child with their problem behaviors. In Behavioral therapy, the goal is to provide a
good treatment place towards the child goals of their behavior from their ADHD (2011). It can
also be used in the school settings and utilized with the teachers as well to help the child in their
ADHD and Play Therapy 9
academic settings. A good treatment plan can benefit the child in their improvement to create the
proper goals and also learn how their negative problem behaviors are disruptive in their
academic setting. Behavior therapy is normally the first use step before medication use because it
gives the parents a better understanding of their child behavior. It also provides the parents with
important skills with or without proper medication medications as well.
Another behavioral strategy that is commonly implemented is mindfulness but results
may vary with ADHD children. Mindfulness has shown to improved ones mental and physical
health through the use of meditation-based interventions. Another study has shown how mindful
is used as a mediation-based intervention with children that are diagnoses with ADHD. The
study revealed that there was no definitive conclusion due to needing more methodical studies. It
also explains how new research is needed to determine its effectiveness can be recommended for
children with ADHD (Evans et. al. 2018). Also, another study revealed the same with
mindfulness. The researchers informed how mindfulness interventions shows good results to be
used in treatments in depression and addictive disorders (Goldberg, et. al. 2018).
Benefit of Play Therapy as Intervention in ADHD
Play therapy has proven to have many benefits in behavioral health. Play therapy has
been used in multiple behavioral platforms as a tool or treatment intervention method with
children. It is also commonly used to help with children in ADHD because of its benefits. Play
therapy provides the child with the ability to connect to the person that they are doing the play
there with such as their parent or counselor. It can also be used to decrease any anxiety, help
promote their self-esteem, and also provide assurance to the child. As a result, the counselor can
also identify the child’s behaviors, cognitive ability, and communicate with the child through
play. According to one researcher, play therapy can be used as a fundamental measure of dealing
ADHD and Play Therapy 10
with the problems that the child is facing a challenge with (Koukouriko et. al. 2021). In the
researcher study, they have found that play therapy used a therapeutic approach can provide
suitable treatment and prevention in preschool and school aged children. In the study, it was
revealed how children in preschool have difficulty managing their emotions and also socializing
other others. It was also found suitable for children with ADHD ad other developmental
disorders. The research was concluded by how important is to implement play therapy as an
alternative intervention method for child under proper implementation from a professional.
Furthermore, play therapy can be taught to the parent to be used in the home as a way to help
communicate with their child and also secure some connecting to their child. Also, play is a child
natural way in engaging with themselves or others.
Through the use of play therapy, it can be used to help break through difficult challenges
that they may have with the child. One expert informs how play therapy with ADHD children
can be engaging and more stimulating and even compatible for the child’s developmental needs
(Karbasi, 2023). In one study, they found that play therapy and storytelling can be useful as
intervention on the social skills with children with ADHD. In the study, the researchers wanted
to identify the effects of a child’s social skills from the use of play therapy with ADHD children.
They conducted a study that was based on children from seven to eleven to find if the
interventions from plat therapy had any affect on a child social skill. The results of the study
reveal that there was a significant effect on self-expression, self-control, and cooperation from
the results. It also concluded how play therapy and story interventions enhanced their social
skills for elementary children were diagnosed with ADHD (Karbasi et. al. 2023).
Secondly, another study also revealed empirical based evidence on how the impact of
play therapy is impactful towards their social skills in preschool children that have ADHD
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(Ashori & Bidgoli, 2019). It discusses the importance of how ADHD children lack the proper
social skills due to as a result of their home environment. The study investigates the effectiveness
on how play therapy used on the Cognitive based model or CBT can provide enhance a child
social skill of the pre school children. The study participants were five to six-year-old boys with
ADHD where they received an experimental session of play therapy from the CBT model. The
result was collected properly and it concluded that the children resulted were shown to be
improving in their social skills (2019).
Furthermore, play therapy has proven to show its effectiveness once again. In another
empirical study, the researchers wanted to determine the effectiveness of play therapy and story
telling improving the symptoms in ADHD children using the Conner’s Scale. The results had
revealed that play therapy indeed had a positive affect on improving the symptoms of ADHD
(Bayat et. al. 2018). Additionally, play therapy can be incorporated in the behavioral plans to
also teach children how to manage their behaviors through the use of proper facilitation in a non-
threaten format. Plus, it is a fun way to connect to the child and also how to advocate their needs
by verbalizing their feeling in a positive environment. Another expert informs how play therapy
can be used to help the child self-regulate and promote positive relationships (Kaduson, 2020).
On the contrary, another study compared the effects of Filial Therapy and Adlerian therapy with
children with ADHD from six twelve. The study revealed to show effectiveness in both the FT
method and the Adlerian method. The FT method demonstrated more progress and also how the
treatment process can progress ADHD children.
Church Setting
Furthermore, if parent prefer Christian counseling for behavioral manage, they
can seek their health care provider as well on proper accommodation to assist with their needs.
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In the church setting, some families may prefer a different approach to assist in managing their
child ADHD symptoms. Biblical Counseling and Christian Counseling can also help with the use
of play therapy and behavioral management. If the medical provider suggests no medical
intervention, then Christian or biblical counseling can be effective. Christian counseling can find
manageable goals such as play therapy because it is a platform that is accessible for everyone.
Christian counseling can incorporate proper goals to help the child and also teach proper coping
skills to learn new effective habits.
In Grcevich book, Mental Health and the Church: A Ministry Handbook for including
children and adults with ADHD, anxiety, mood disorders, and other common mental health
conditions, it discusses a simple model approach that is based on flexibility for the use of
churches. The model is based on seven strategies that are used to in psychotherapy for the church
settings. The author informed that the church hasn’t embraced mental health inclusion ministry
due to stigmatization, lack of a ministry model, and various level of understanding of mental
illness (Grcevich, 2018). The book also discussed how a foundation for a mental health inclusion
model would like. The author discusses how implementing a set of strategies to help the families
join activities would be helpful for spiritual growth. Also, he identifies the seven barriers that
families are impacted with by the church. He identifies stigma, anxiety, sensory processing
differences, social isolation, social communication skills, past experiences in the church, and
executive functioning. The book uncovers the difficulty of these being barriers and how they
pose as a challenge. For example, the authors explain that anxiety as a barrier because of fear of
scrutiny from their church.
Another example of a barrier is social communication. The child may be fearful of
crowds or trouble socializing with their peers from certain youth groups. Furthermore, play
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therapy can be used a resource guide on how to interact with the client. The book also reveals
how the church can help individuals and families that are affected by mental illness. It discusses
seven strategies. These strategies are assembling an inclusion team, create a welcome ministry
environment, focus on ministry activities that promote spiritual growth. Communicate
effectively, help families with meaningful needs, offer support, and empower people. The author
describes that people that can assist in the inclusion team can be leaders or special ministry
departments with passion to assist non the team (2018). He reminds the readers that mental
health ministry is a family ministry (2018). The books reveal how the key to a good ministry is
to promote a good connection to the families with children who have disabilities for the purpose
of making helping them with their discipleship. Also, this book can help provide insight on to
other areas that are present in the signs of ADHD and other common mental health disorder to
create a positive change in the environment in the church.
One expert suggest that play therapy can be used for the counselor and parents benefit
(Grant et. al. 2021). The pastoral counselor will have the benefit of having a better relationship
with the family and can create realistic goals to help with the structure and also provide
consistency in their home and church setting. Biblical counseling also provides encouragement
which can add to the child behavior to know and understand that they are loved by their parent
and the church. It also can provide the social support in their church communicate to feel that
they are accepted and understood in their religious community. Additionally, the family will
have the spiritual discipline that the pastoral counselor can help them create and also provide
them with additional support when needed. It is important for the parent to understand that the
consistency from their goals and also their consequence system is important to help the child
succeed in their childhood phase. This will not only build positive behavior but also their
ADHD and Play Therapy 14
interaction with their peers as well. Another study has shown a systemic review of evidence on
how religion adapted cognitive behavior therapy or R-CBT has shown the integration of
cognitive restructuring, psychoeducation, using religious values, and coping techniques (de
Abreu Costa et. at. 2022).
Spiritual health is important. Especially if the parents have religious preferences that can
benefit and help the child to promote their overall wellness. Another study demonstrates through
empirical research that children with ADHD can benefit from spiritual health for happiness and
their overall wellbeing. One expert informs how ADHD and Learning disabilities are two of the
most common disabilities experiences by children and adolescents (Ng et. at. 2019).
Conclusion
To conclude, the evidence has clearly shown substantially how importance that spiritual
health from the church setting, a proper treatment plan from behavioral management, and the
role of the parents is crucial for a child with ADHD. The interaction from their home
environment and the academic setting can reveal the success of the child performance as they
grow intro adulthood. Also, play therapy has also be shown as beneficial to a child their early
years to be able to communicate and also provide improvement on their own social skills. The
research has also proven how parent’s involvement as well as their socio-economic background
play a factor on the outcome of how successful a child future will become. The data has
demonstrated that if more resources were present in the areas with limited resources that those
children with ADHD will have more likely chance of a positive outcome in their social skills.
Furthermore, other resources have also shown practical ways in the church that can help children
and heir families feel more comfortable with the ADHD and other mental health disorders.
ADHD has it challenges and it has proven that with more evidence that more combination of
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intervention can provide a more predictable outcome on the success of living long term with
ADHD.
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