BEHAVIORAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO PHARMACOTHERAPY - THE UTILITY OF BEHAVIORAL METHODOLOGY IN MEDICATION TREATMENT OF CHILDREN WITH ATTENTION-DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

The advantages of combining behavioral and psychopharmacological methodologies in the study and treatment of psychopathology are reviewed by focusing on a specific childhood disorder (i.e., Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD) where this treatment combination has received much attention. The contributions of behavioral assessment techniques in evaluating children's medication response are delineated. Further, treatment approaches combining stimulant medications and behavior modification have been found superior for some children with ADHD. The dose or strength of each of these treatments must be varied in a systematic fashion for each child to obtain a comprehensive picture of response to this treatment combination. Finally, the use of medication and behavioral observation methods to dissect social interactions is illustrated. The utility of behavioral approaches to assessment and intervention in providing medication to children with ADHD can be used to guide research and applied efforts for combining these interventions in other clinical populations.