Virginia Tech is looking for children ages 8 to 12 with the aforementioned symptoms. As part of their research project, participants will receive free treatment during the study time.

“The current study is designed for children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and anxiety,” said Matthew Jarrett of the Virginia Tech Child Study Center. “More specifically, we are looking for kids that exhibit one of the following three types of anxiety: excessive worrying, anxiety about social situations, or anxiety about being separated from parents.”

Jarrett sited the Multimodal Treatment Study of ADHD (MTA) – one of the largest clinical trials ever conducted – as a basis for the upcoming study by Virginia Tech. The MTA study discovered that children with ADHD and anxiety issues respond equally as well to therapy as they respond to medication.

“One of the questions for the current study is what kind of treatment effect can be achieved by combining parent training in managing behavior with what is called exposure treatment for anxiety,” Jarrett said. “Overall, this treatment is designed to teach parents how to manage ADHD and anxious behaviors and teach children how to better manage those behaviors on their own.”

There will be a method to the study to involve the following schedule:
10 weeks of treatment (one, 1.5-hour treatment session per week; parent portion for 1 hour and child portion for 30 minutes)
1-week and 1-month post-treatment assessments

“Treatment is provided free of charge,” Jarrett said. “Treatment will be provided either at the Child Study Center in Blacksburg or the Roanoke Higher Education Building in Roanoke. The time of the treatment will be coordinated between the therapist and the family. Typically, treatment sessions occur between the early afternoon and evening hours.”

According to Jarrett, the overall goal of the study is to 'help reduce stress in the family environment and equip the entire family with skills to manage ADHD and anxiety symptoms.'

For more information, e-mail Matthew Jarrett at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (540) 231-2024.

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"Hyperactive..."
written by CitizenAHDA, August 17, 2008

Thanks for the report. I'm pleased that there's a concerted effort to help families overcome attention disorders, without, hopefully, the 'in-vogue' quick-fix drugs. "Own their own"...hopefully, that will NOT include their administration of medication, except in medical emergencies. It's normal for kids to be active. When I see a 5-year-old handed a 16oz caffeine and sugar laden soda, I wonder, what? (expecially after they are disciplined, after their hyperactivity that came from....?) Diet has been proven to be an integral part of a child's reactions, from allergy related problems to hyperactivity. "Four-walls" syndrome is prevelant...putting kids in a room and letting them view...whatever, for days. The great outdoors is important; no wonder this locale is having a huge proliferation of sports activities for kids, thank goodness! For those that don't care for team sports, just being active outdoors is essential. I just hope that the study does not accomodate referrals to drug companies for Ritalin and other drugs that are being precribed for 3-year-olds and upper-year-olds! I've seen this happen before, and can provide proof of my claim. Let kids be kids; provide good nutrition and outdoor activities. I wonder if the public is aware of this fact: if a child takes Ritalin, the child, whether continuing the medication into older age groupings, cannot enter the military, or have many other opportunites, due to their "rap-sheet." No kid needs a "rap-sheet." Their information, however confidential, IS disclosed, via many methods, let alone, they are asked about these medications on various applications. The benefit of the drugs may have temporarily helped some, but the long-term affects are not currently recorded...it's all too new, except the recordation of the non-admittance into government positions, in many cases, as they enter the job market. The drug reps are promoting medication, as THE answer, as dollar-mongers, in MY opinion. At least, I have witnessed this; perhaps this has ended?

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