Behavioral treatment works on a 'reward and consequence' system. When a child is behaving in a way that is seen as beneficial to them, then they are rewarded. An example of this would be letting the child watch the television after they spent a certain amount of time paying attention a specific thing, such as their homework. When the child is seen behaving in a negative way, such as not paying attention, then the child is reprimanded. For example, if the child will not do their homework then they are not allowed to watch television that night (Carey). This type of treatment is better for the families of the child because behavior therapy is the cheaper option when compared to medication (Carey). When a child is first exposed to behavioral treatment, then later introduced to medication in lower doses, the cost of the complete treatment costs, on average, seven-hundred dollars less than if the child was never exposed to behavioral treatment (Carey). The only con to behavioral treatment is that the effects of the treatment may take longer to be known than if a child took medication. For these reasons, a child should first be introduced to behavioral treatment rather than medical
Behavioral treatment works on a 'reward and consequence' system. When a child is behaving in a way that is seen as beneficial to them, then they are rewarded. An example of this would be letting the child watch the television after they spent a certain amount of time paying attention a specific thing, such as their homework. When the child is seen behaving in a negative way, such as not paying attention, then the child is reprimanded. For example, if the child will not do their homework then they are not allowed to watch television that night (Carey). This type of treatment is better for the families of the child because behavior therapy is the cheaper option when compared to medication (Carey). When a child is first exposed to behavioral treatment, then later introduced to medication in lower doses, the cost of the complete treatment costs, on average, seven-hundred dollars less than if the child was never exposed to behavioral treatment (Carey). The only con to behavioral treatment is that the effects of the treatment may take longer to be known than if a child took medication. For these reasons, a child should first be introduced to behavioral treatment rather than medical