10 Types of Therapy for ADHD

Recently I had the chance to present to a local group of speech, physical, and occupational therapists at the Kansas City Pediatric Alliance about ADHD. It really got me thinking about how ADHD affects so many areas of life — and how different specialists can step in to help manage not only the core symptoms of ADHD, but also the challenges that often are experienced but not specifically part of ADHD.

ADHD doesn’t just make it hard to focus. It can impact emotional regulation, time management, and even basic daily tasks. While medication is often part of the treatment plan, therapy can play a huge role in helping kids, teens, and adults build coping skills, improve behavior, and boost their overall quality of life.

But here’s the tricky part: figuring out what kind of therapy to try to manage symptoms of ADHD! A lot of parents struggle with this, and it’s easy to end up in a therapy that might not be designed to treat ADHD. That doesn’t mean it’s useless — some therapies focus on conditions that frequently co-exist with ADHD, and when you manage one, you often see improvements in the other.

To help break it down, check out this awesome infographic from CHADD. It’s a great visual of the many conditions that often overlap with ADHD and why a multi-faceted approach can be so helpful.

Let’s explore some of the key types of therapy that can make a real difference!

1. Parent Behavior Training (PBT)

– The Most Effective Therapy for ADHD

For children with ADHD, parent behavior training is the most effective therapy. ADHD is primarily a disorder of self-regulation, which means children struggle with impulse control, attention, and following instructions. PBT teaches parents strategies to help their child develop better behavioral responses through consistent reinforcement and structure. There are many types of PBT, and you can learn about them from Child Mind Institute here.

If your pediatrician recommends this, do not presume it’s because they think you’re a bad parent. This is a specific therapy that helps parents learn evidence-based strategies to support a child who struggles with executive functioning. Parenting strategies taught to parents of neurotypical kids don’t always work for kids with ADHD, but the strategies taught to parents of kids with ADHD can help any child.

Behavior training is based on three basic principles and strategies:

1️⃣ Set Specific, Doable GoalsBreak things down! Focus on clear, realistic goals, like staying on task for 10 minutes or sharing toys with friends.

2️⃣ Use Rewards & ConsequencesReinforce positive behavior with small rewards and address inappropriate actions with consistent consequences. (Caution: sometimes behavior may get worse before it improves – stick with it and it gets better!)

3️⃣ Stay ConsistentConsistency is the secret sauce! Keep up with rewards and consequences over time to help shape lasting, positive behavior.

• Example: A child who frequently ignores instructions or has explosive outbursts when told “no” can benefit from parents learning to use clear commands, reward systems, and calm but firm discipline techniques.

• What Therapy Looks Like: Parents attend structured training sessions where they learn and practice techniques such as giving effective instructions, using positive reinforcement, and implementing appropriate consequences for misbehavior. This therapy is most effective when parents consistently apply the strategies at home.

2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

– Best for Emotional Regulation, Anxiety, or Depression

CBT is a structured, goal-oriented form of therapy that helps children recognize and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. While it does not directly treat ADHD, it is particularly effective for addressing emotional regulation issues, impulsivity, and co-existing anxiety or depression.

I base many of my workshops on CBT.

• Example: A teen with ADHD who struggles with self-doubt and frequently says, “I can’t do anything right,” may benefit from learning how to challenge negative thoughts and replace them with realistic and positive ones.

• What Therapy Looks Like: Sessions involve identifying unhelpful thoughts, practicing coping strategies, and using role-play or real-life scenarios to improve problem-solving and emotional control. CBT can help teens manage frustration, reduce impulsivity, and improve self-confidence.

3. School-Based Behavioral Interventions

– Best for Classroom Success

Children with ADHD often struggle with completing homework, following classroom rules, and staying focused. School-based behavioral interventions are designed to help children succeed academically and socially in structured environments.

Some of these interventions are formally written into accommodation plans, others are strategies a teacher uses informally. Accommodations may be provided through 504 Plans or IEPs, depending on the student’s needs. Learn more about these from Understood.org’s tool kit.

• Example: A child who forgets to turn in assignments and has trouble staying seated during class can benefit from a structured reward system, scheduled movement breaks, and visual reminders.

• What Therapy Looks Like: Teachers implement behavior management strategies, such as token reward systems, daily behavior report cards, or structured routines to reinforce positive behavior. These interventions work best when coordinated with parents.

4. Social Skills Training

– Best for Improving Peer Interactions

Many kids with ADHD struggle to build strong peer relationships due to challenges like impulsivity, missing social cues, or emotional dysregulation.

🧠 Perspective-Taking – Understanding others' thoughts and feelings and how your actions impact them

🔑 Initiation – Starting conversations, asking for help, and self-advocating

👀 Situational Awareness – "Reading the room" and knowing what behavior fits the moment

🎭 Responding to Emotions – Reacting appropriately when someone shares their feelings, to avoid coming across as rude or uninterested

🔄 Cognitive Flexibility – Accepting others’ ideas, taking direction, and compromising to be part of a group

😂 Using Humor Appropriately – Knowing what’s funny and what’s not based on social context

If your child is struggling with social skills, you might see some of the following behaviors:

👀 In Elementary School

• Acting bossy and controlling during play

• Connecting better with adults or younger kids than same-aged peers

• One-sided conversations

• Struggling with unstructured settings (like recess)

• Difficulty keeping friends (but can make them!)

• Overwhelming new friends (“smothering”)

• Missing social cues and how they’re perceived

👀 In Tweens & Teens (as social expectations increase)

• Retreating into video games or social media to avoid social challenges

• Inflexibility – struggling to compromise or accept differing views

• Criticizing or labeling peers as “weird” or “annoying”

• Seeking “popular” friends who don’t reciprocate while ignoring kind peers

• Limited interaction outside of school – may struggle with the give-and-take of sustaining friendships

Social skills training helps children learn and practice appropriate ways to interact with others.

• Example: A child who frequently interrupts conversations or invades personal space may benefit from learning turn-taking and personal boundary skills.

• What Therapy Looks Like: In a group setting, children practice social interactions through role-playing, games, and direct feedback from the therapist and peers. This helps them learn how to initiate and maintain friendships.

My friend Stefany Ortiz will be leading the next online ADHDKCTeen group all about social anxiety and making friends. This is a popular topic for the group and all middle and high school students are invited to join!

5. Executive Function Coaching

– Best for Organization and Time Management

Executive function coaching helps children and teens develop critical life skills like planning, organization, and time management, which are often weak in those with ADHD. This is the basis for the TEACH Me ADHD Classes I help lead in a group class setting.

• Example: A teen who frequently loses homework assignments or forgets important deadlines can benefit from learning how to use planners, set reminders, and break tasks into smaller steps.

• What Therapy Looks Like: Coaches work with students to develop personalized strategies for staying organized, prioritizing tasks, and maintaining focus. This approach is particularly useful for teens preparing for college or increased independence.

6. Occupational Therapy (OT)

– Best for Sensory Issues, Fine Motor Skills, and Self-Care Skills

Occupational therapists (OTs) play a key role in helping kids with conditions that often accompany ADHD thrive at home, school, and beyond!

⚖️ Sensory Regulation

• Using movement breaks, fidget tools, or weighted items to improve self-regulation

✍️ Fine Motor Skills

• Strengthening grip, improving letter formation, and boosting spatial awareness for better written communication

🛁 Self-Care Skills

• Teaching task sequencing, daily routines, and adaptive strategies to help kids succeed in both school and home life

• Example: A child who is easily overwhelmed by bright lights, loud noises, or the feeling of clothing tags may benefit from sensory integration techniques.

• What Therapy Looks Like: Occupational therapists use activities like swinging, weighted vests, or fidget tools to help children regulate their sensory input.

7. Physical Therapy (PT)

– Best for Coordination, Endurance, and Balance

Many kids with ADHD struggle with coordination, endurance, and balance – even if they seem like they’re always on the go!

🚦 Kids with ADHD often stay in motion because slowing down is harder than it looks! Strengthening postural control through targeted exercises like balance training and vestibular activities can improve their stability – and reduce falls and injuries.

Physical therapy can help by focusing on key areas:

⚽ Gross Motor Coordination

• Improving running, jumping, and catching to boost sports participation and physical confidence

🧘 Core Strength & Stability

• Addressing weak core muscles to improve endurance, posture, and balance for better focus and stamina

🎢 Coordination & Play Skills

• Enhancing skills for playground activities, stair navigation, and sports

💪 Managing Fatigue

Reducing physical fatigue and increasing activity tolerance to support focus and participation in daily tasks

8. Speech and Language Therapy

– Best for Communication Challenges

Speech-language therapists do more than help with talking – they play a vital role in boosting communication, executive functioning, and social skills for kids with ADHD. Some children with ADHD have difficulties with expressive and receptive language, which can affect their ability to follow multi-step directions and participate in conversations.

🧠 Executive Functioning Support

• Organizing thoughts, improving working memory, and developing structured storytelling skills

👥 Social Communication

• Teaching kids how to interpret body language, take conversational turns, and self-regulate in group interactions

🔊 Language Processing

• Strengthening auditory comprehension and verbal expression through structured activities

• Example: A child who struggles to explain their thoughts clearly or follow detailed instructions may benefit from speech therapy.

• What Therapy Looks Like: Speech therapists work on improving comprehension, vocabulary, and conversation skills through structured exercises and real-life practice.

9. Mindfulness and Acceptance-Based Therapies

– Best for Stress Management

Mindfulness-based approaches, including Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), help children develop awareness of their thoughts and emotions without judgment.

There are many apps and videos to help learn how to use mindfulness. I personally use Balance (chosen based on the free year trial and love that it teaches about the practice as I go through Foundations Plans) but also have heard great things about Smiling Mind (which is free and has child-friendly practices). I share about the science of mindfulness and various types of mindfulness in this recorded hour-long talk given to the ADHDKCTeen group last summer.

• Example: A teen who often feels overwhelmed by schoolwork and reacts with panic or avoidance may benefit from mindfulness techniques.

• What Therapy Looks Like: Techniques such as deep breathing, guided imagery, and body scans help children improve focus, reduce anxiety, and manage stress.

10. Play Therapy is Not Effective for ADHD

– But May Help Young Children Process Emotions

Play therapy, which involves unstructured or semi-structured play to help children express emotions, has not been found effective for treating ADHD itself. While it may be useful for young children dealing with trauma or emotional distress, play therapy does not teach the structured behavioral skills needed to manage ADHD symptoms.

By age 12, kids with ADHD have often heard 20,000 more negative messages than their peers without ADHD – a staggering number that can create deep emotional wounds that lead to intense emotional reactions to perceived rejection, criticism, or failure. If young children are struggling with emotional distress, play therapy might help.

Unfortunately, I often hear that this is the type of therapy initiated when parents are looking for help with ADHD core symptoms. The best therapy to help manage core ADHD symptoms is the parent training mentioned in #1 above.

Conclusion

Choosing the right therapy for a child with ADHD is crucial. Parent behavior training is the most effective therapy for managing core ADHD symptoms, while other therapies can address co-existing challenges such as anxiety, depression, executive function struggles, and social difficulties.

Parents should work with professionals who specialize in ADHD treatment and avoid therapies that are not evidence-based.

With the right support, children and teens with ADHD can develop the skills needed to thrive at home, school, and in social settings.

Remember: You’ve got this!