Supporting Healthy Behaviours in Children with ADHD

About the session

ADHD is the most common behavioral disorder in children, and when untreated, it is associated with risk for unhealthy behaviors and poor mental and physical health outcomes. Physical activity, screen use and sleep are three health behaviors that are strongly interconnected with executive functioning and ADHD and can be improved with behavioral strategies. This talk will share recent research on promoting health and wellness in young people with ADHD. We will focus in particular on interventions that improve health behaviors in addition to daily functioning for children with ADHD using parenting strategies and mobile health tools such as wearables. We will also dive into free treatment tools that clinicians and families can use to teach and practice healthy behaviors. Ultimately, we will explore the benefits of paying attention to and supporting healthy behaviors that lead to better focus, stable mood and success across throughout the lifespan.

Learning objectives

1. Understand the connection between ADHD and both healthy and risky behaviors
2. Recognize evidence-based strategies to promote healthy behaviors and mental health in children with ADHD
3. Use clinical tools for supporting healthy exercise, screen use and sleep in children with ADHD

About the speaker

Erin Schoenfelder Gonzalez, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She is a clinical psychologist and co-Director of the Behavior and Attention Management Specialty Program at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Her specialization and research interests include parent-focused behavioral treatments for ADHD and the association of ADHD with health risk behaviors, especially physical activity and screen use. She also co-directs the First Approach Skills Training (FAST) program at Seattle Children’s, where she develops and disseminates brief behavioral treatments for integrated care settings.