Evidence-Based Treatment of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in a Preschool-Age Child: A Case Study

Abstract

This case study illustrates a behavioral treatment of “Peter,” a 4-year-old male with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder. Multiple evidence-based treatment procedures were implemented, affording the opportunity to explore issues common to the clinical application of empirically supported interventions. Among the strategies utilized were behavioral parent training, school consultation and behavioral training of educators, school-based contingency management, and a behavioral daily report card. Numerous issues are discussed, including the limited evidence regarding interventions for preschool-age children with ADHD, factors influencing treatment planning and sequencing, collaboration with schools and parents, and evidence-based assessment of treatment gains.

Notes

Note: CBCL = Child Behavior Checklist; ECBI = Eyberg Childhood Behavior Inventory; SNAP-IV = Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale.

^a Initial evaluation

^b Treatment Session 1

^c Treatment Session 17

^d Normed for children ages 5 to 11

^e Cutoff = 95th percentile

∗Above clinical cut score; Peter was 4 at Baseline 2 and 5 at midtreatment, resulting in different norms, as evident in CBCL t-scores