Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
1. Presenting Concerns
The child presents with difficulties related to attention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity, which may affect learning, behaviour, emotional regulation, and social interactions. The child may have difficulty sustaining attention, following instructions, completing tasks, waiting for turns, or managing frustration. These challenges may affect the child’s functioning at home, in school, and in social settings.
2. Counselling Goals
The counselling sessions aim to help the child:
- Improve attention, focus, and task completion.
- Develop emotional regulation and coping skills.
- Manage impulsive behaviours and practise self-control.
- Build positive social skills and healthy peer relationships.
- Develop self-confidence and recognise personal strengths.
Learn strategies to manage frustration, disappointment, and other strong emotions.
3. Counselling Interventions
Counselling sessions are tailored to the child’s developmental level and individual needs. The following approaches may be used:
Play-based counselling: Use games, drawing, storytelling, and role-play to encourage emotional expression and engagement.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Help the child recognise the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and practise more helpful responses.
Behavioural strategies: Introduce clear expectations, positive reinforcement, rewards, and structured routines to encourage appropriate behaviours.
Emotional regulation: Teach the child to identify emotions, recognise triggers, and use calming strategies such as deep breathing, counting, or taking a short break.
Social skills training: Practise turn-taking, listening, sharing, problem-solving, and resolving conflicts appropriately.
Parent and caregiver support: Provide guidance on consistent routines, positive reinforcement, clear instructions, and supportive communication at home.
4. Progress and Observations
The child’s progress is monitored through observations during counselling sessions, the child’s participation in activities, and feedback from parents or caregivers and teachers, where appropriate.
Progress may be reflected in the child’s ability to:
- Remain engaged in structured activities for longer periods.
Follow instructions with fewer reminders. - Recognise and express emotions appropriately.
- Pause before acting and consider the consequences of actions.
- Apply coping strategies when experiencing frustration.
Interact more positively with peers and adults. - Progress may vary depending on the child’s individual needs, environment, and consistency of support. Strategies should be adjusted according to the child’s strengths and areas for improvement.
5. Recommendations and Follow-Up
It is recommended that counselling sessions continue to support the child’s attention, emotional regulation, behavioural management, and social development. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to establish predictable routines, provide short and clear instructions, reinforce positive behaviours, and offer specific praise for effort and progress.
Collaboration between parents, teachers, counsellors, and relevant healthcare professionals may help ensure consistent support across different settings. Where appropriate, the child may benefit from additional educational accommodations or a comprehensive ADHD management plan.
6. Conclusion
The counselling process focuses on helping the child develop practical skills to manage ADHD-related challenges while building confidence, emotional awareness, and positive relationships. A supportive, structured, and strengths-based approach can help the child recognise their abilities, improve daily functioning, and develop strategies for long-term success.
Take the first step
The Healing Cove offers private parent and family with ADHD children counselling in Singapore and online. If work stress has begun to take over your life, a 50- or 75-minute session can be a starting point to pause, reflect and find a more sustainable way forward.
If you feel at immediate risk of harming yourself or someone else, seek urgent help. In Singapore, call 995 for emergency medical assistance, contact national mindline 1771, or call Samaritans of Singapore at 1767.
