# Ask about parent behaviour training Published by Pawel Jozefiak. [About this project](https://adhd100.jock.pl/about/), [How we check sources](https://adhd100.jock.pl/methodology/) - Canonical: https://adhd100.jock.pl/seek-parent-behaviour-training/ - Language: en - First published: 2026-09-29 - Evidence checked: 2026-09-29, using AI-assisted source verification - Clinical review: Not clinically reviewed - Number 42 of 100 in the list: https://adhd100.jock.pl/#seek-parent-behaviour-training For young children with ADHD, trained parent support is a first treatment, even though the evidence on symptoms is weak. **The number:** Parent behaviour training is the first choice below age 6 ([CDC, 2026](https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/treatment/behavior-therapy.html)) ## The evidence - How sure: Certainty of evidence: Very low certainty. Measured in people with ADHD. - See this comparison on the evidence map: https://adhd100.jock.pl/evidence/#r-parent-mediated-behavioral-interventions-preschool-core-adhd-symptoms-parent-rated-short - Evidence grade: A. Grade A: moderate or high certainty evidence in people with ADHD, or an explicit ADHD guideline recommendation. - Basis: NICE NG87 1.5.7 and 1.5.11, AAP key action statements 5a and 5b (AAP grade A); EBI symptom estimates very low certainty, NICE review E: benefits smaller with teacher ratings - Benefit: 62/100. The benefit score is an editorial prioritization for the general list, weighted by certainty. It is not a prediction of what will happen for you. ## Why it matters Behavioural parent training teaches caregivers ways to support a child's behaviour, with guided practice and feedback. NICE recommends a group programme as the first treatment under age 5, and the AAP recommends it first at ages 4 to 5 and alongside other treatment at 6 to 11. The evidence is weaker than that status suggests: EBI found parent-rated preschool symptoms 0.634 SMD better with very low certainty, effects on oppositional and conduct behaviour in older children were small (very low to low certainty), and NICE noted benefits looked less impressive when teachers did the rating. Most results cover about 12 weeks or to trial endpoint. ## How to do it 1. Ask your child's clinician for a recognised parent training programme run by a trained therapist. 2. Check that it includes coached practice, positive reinforcement and regular progress reviews. 3. Say what makes attending hard, and ask about one-to-one or group formats and practical help. 4. Settle on a small set of goals with the therapist, with your child's needs in them. ## Talk to a clinician first Look for a trained professional who works with young children. Parent training gives you tools and support, and it does not mean you caused your child's ADHD. ## Putting it into practice ### Start now - 1 minute: Write down one daily situation, like bedtime or leaving the house, you'd want a parent-training therapist's help with. - 5 minutes: Write to your child's clinician asking about behavioural parent training. - 15 minutes: Hold a programme's description up against CDC's questions for finding a therapist. ### What it looks like - Ask a potential therapist whether sessions include coached practice with feedback. - Say that getting to sessions is hard, and ask what other ways the service can deliver them. ### Common mistakes - A general parenting talk may not be a structured treatment. Ask which programme and methods they use. - Blaming yourself adds pressure and helps nobody. Ask for training that teaches you and backs you up. ### A structured start **Find a suitable training programme** 1. Ask for an appropriate programme or referral. 2. Discuss goals, attendance barriers and the training format. 3. Review progress with the therapist and adjust the support together. ### Trusted how-to guides - [Parent Training in Behavior Management](https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/treatment/behavior-therapy.html), CDC ## Sources - [EBI-ADHD: companion data to Gosling et al., BMJ 2025, commit 86eff22a9ffb](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/CorentinJGosling/EBI-ADHD-UR-2025/86eff22a9ffb/datasets/dataset-ur-adhd.csv), BMJ / Gosling et al., 2025 (Tier 1 guideline) - [ADHD evidence review E: non-pharmacological efficacy and adverse events (NG87)](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng87/evidence/e-nonpharmacological-efficacy-and-adverse-events-pdf-4783686305), NICE, 2018 (Tier 1 guideline) - [Parent Training in Behavior Management](https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/treatment/behavior-therapy.html), CDC, 2026 (Tier 1 guideline) - [Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of ADHD in Children and Adolescents](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7067282/), American Academy of Pediatrics, 2019 (Tier 1 guideline) - [Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management (NG87), recommendations](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng87/chapter/Recommendations), NICE, 2019 (Tier 1 guideline) --- General information about ADHD, not a diagnosis or an individual treatment plan. Tailoring changes the order of suggestions; it does not assess you. Medication decisions belong with you and a qualified clinician. Report an error: meet@jock.pl Reuse: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/