An Anger Management Program for Children with Attention Deficit, Hyperactivity Disorder

A seven-step anger management program was developed by a certified therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS) to facilitate more appropriate expression of anger in children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The process followed the assessment, treatment plan, intervention, and evaluation model set by the Standards of Practice for Therapeutic Recreation. Thirty-eight children were enrolled in a 13 week pharmacological trial at a major research institution. The children and their parents independently completed the Pediatric Anger Expression Scale III (PAES III) before and after the anger management intervention and paired t-tests were conducted to ascertain differences. Children perceived no difference in their expression of anger before and after the intervention. Parents reported a reduction in externalization of anger and an increase in the anger control of their children following the intervention.