Forget Ritalin, Treat ADHD With This Instead!

By Todd A. Ward, PhD, BCBA-D

Founding Editor, bSci21.org

As behavior analysts, we know that our behavior is occasioned as much by biological events as it is by stimuli in the external environment.  B.F. Skinner alluded to this in his discussion of the interoceptive, proprioceptive, and exteroceptive nervous systems.  J.R. Kantor discussed biological events as setting factors, or biological participants, in the behavior of the whole individual.  Moreover, applied behavior analysts work frequently with the bio-behavioral interplay as part of treatment teams that prescribe psychoactive medications.

According to News-Medical.net, researchers in China are taking the bio-behavioral interaction to new levels.  More specifically, researchers are successfully treating behavioral symptoms of ADHD with computer games.  When the user wears a wireless brainwave monitor during gameplay, the game automatically adjusts its scoring system and difficulty to improve skills related to attention, working memory, and impulse-control.

Working with a group of elementary-aged children, researchers showed that the training contributed to increased attending behavior in the classroom, quality of school work, and improved social interactions with students and teachers.  Moreover, the improved social interactions made it more likely the children received acceptance, praise, and other socially-mediated reinforcers for their behavior as a result.

To read more about the research, follow the hyperlink above.  If you like this article, be sure to subscribe to bSci21 via email to receive new articles, and free monthly issues, directly to your inbox!