Research behind AutismADHDHealth
AutismADHDHealth is a wellness tool, not medical advice. It does not diagnose or treat anything. These sources informed the ideas behind the tools. Always talk with a qualified clinician about your own or your child's health.
Today
Implementing Measurement-Based Care in Behavioral Health: A Review
JAMA Psychiatry, 2019
Reviews regularly tracking symptoms and sharing the results in care, which can help guide treatment decisions.
Annual Research Review: Ecological momentary assessment studies in child psychology and psychiatry
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2020
Reviews in-the-moment self-reports (like quick check-ins) as a way to see how mood and behavior change in daily life.
Daily check-in
Annual Research Review: Ecological momentary assessment studies in child psychology and psychiatry
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2020
Reviews in-the-moment self-reports (like quick check-ins) as a way to see how mood and behavior change in daily life.
Implementing Measurement-Based Care in Behavioral Health: A Review
JAMA Psychiatry, 2019
Reviews regularly tracking symptoms and sharing the results in care, which can help guide treatment decisions.
Tracking
Implementing Measurement-Based Care in Behavioral Health: A Review
JAMA Psychiatry, 2019
Reviews regularly tracking symptoms and sharing the results in care, which can help guide treatment decisions.
Annual Research Review: Ecological momentary assessment studies in child psychology and psychiatry
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2020
Reviews in-the-moment self-reports (like quick check-ins) as a way to see how mood and behavior change in daily life.
Insights
Annual Research Review: Ecological momentary assessment studies in child psychology and psychiatry
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2020
Reviews in-the-moment self-reports (like quick check-ins) as a way to see how mood and behavior change in daily life.
Implementing Measurement-Based Care in Behavioral Health: A Review
JAMA Psychiatry, 2019
Reviews regularly tracking symptoms and sharing the results in care, which can help guide treatment decisions.
Play
Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents
Pediatrics (AAP), 2019
Recommends behavioral parent training and classroom behavioral supports as part of ADHD treatment.
Behavioral Interventions in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Across Multiple Outcome Domains
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2014
A meta-analysis of trials showing behavioral interventions can improve parenting and some child behaviors in ADHD.
Nonpharmacological Interventions for ADHD: Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials of Dietary and Psychological Treatments
American Journal of Psychiatry, 2013
Reviews which non-medication approaches have supporting trial evidence for ADHD.
Rewards
Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents
Pediatrics (AAP), 2019
Recommends behavioral parent training and classroom behavioral supports as part of ADHD treatment.
Behavioral Interventions in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Across Multiple Outcome Domains
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2014
A meta-analysis of trials showing behavioral interventions can improve parenting and some child behaviors in ADHD.
Calming tools
Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Anxiety Disorders
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), 2007
Supports cognitive behavioral therapy skills as a first-line approach for youth anxiety.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Sertraline, or a Combination in Childhood Anxiety
New England Journal of Medicine, 2008
In a large trial, CBT helped many children and teens with anxiety, alone or combined with medication.
Breathing
Brief structured respiration practices enhance mood and reduce physiological arousal
Cell Reports Medicine, 2023
In adults, a few minutes a day of structured breathing, including slow breathing with long exhales, improved mood.
Effect of breathwork on stress and mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials
Scientific Reports, 2023
A meta-analysis suggesting breathing practices can modestly reduce stress and anxiety symptoms.
Grounding
Anxiety and Children, Facts for Families No. 47
AACAP, 2023
Family-friendly summary of childhood anxiety, its warning signs, and that it is treatable.
Read the source (opens in a new tab): Anxiety and Children, Facts for Families No. 47
Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Anxiety Disorders
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), 2007
Supports cognitive behavioral therapy skills as a first-line approach for youth anxiety.
Timers and routines
Identification, Evaluation, and Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Pediatrics (AAP), 2020
AAP clinical report on autism care, including individualized behavioral, communication and environmental supports.
Evidence-Based Practices for Children, Youth, and Young Adults with Autism: Third Generation Review
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2021
Identifies supports with evidence for autistic people, such as visual supports, schedules, and prompting for transitions.
Thought record
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Sertraline, or a Combination in Childhood Anxiety
New England Journal of Medicine, 2008
In a large trial, CBT helped many children and teens with anxiety, alone or combined with medication.
Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Anxiety Disorders
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), 2007
Supports cognitive behavioral therapy skills as a first-line approach for youth anxiety.
Fluoxetine, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Their Combination for Adolescents With Depression
JAMA, 2004
In a large trial, CBT was one helpful option for teens with depression.
Activity planning
Fluoxetine, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Their Combination for Adolescents With Depression
JAMA, 2004
In a large trial, CBT was one helpful option for teens with depression.
Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Depressive Disorders
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), 2007
Supports psychotherapy, including activity-focused and cognitive approaches, in treating youth depression.
Guidelines for Adolescent Depression in Primary Care (GLAD-PC): II. Treatment and Ongoing Management
Pediatrics, 2007
Supports active monitoring and evidence-based psychotherapy as part of adolescent depression care.
OCD: delaying a compulsion
Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, Sertraline, and Their Combination for Children and Adolescents With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
JAMA, 2004
In a large trial, CBT with exposure and response prevention helped many young people with OCD.
Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), 2012
Supports CBT with exposure and response prevention as a first-line approach for pediatric OCD.
Exposure ladder
Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, Sertraline, and Their Combination for Children and Adolescents With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
JAMA, 2004
In a large trial, CBT with exposure and response prevention helped many young people with OCD.
Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), 2012
Supports CBT with exposure and response prevention as a first-line approach for pediatric OCD.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
NIMH, 2026
Plain-language overview of OCD, including exposure and response prevention as a therapy approach.
Read the source (opens in a new tab): Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Tic practice
Behavior Therapy for Children With Tourette Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial
JAMA, 2010
In a randomized trial, behavior therapy (CBIT) reduced tic severity in many children.
Practice guideline recommendations summary: Treatment of tics in people with Tourette syndrome and chronic tic disorders
Neurology (AAN), 2019
The American Academy of Neurology recommends offering comprehensive behavioral therapy for tics.
Tourette Syndrome
NINDS, 2026
Overview of tics and Tourette syndrome, noting that behavioral training such as CBIT can reduce tic symptoms.
Cool-down (big feelings)
Irritability in Children and Adolescents
Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 2017
Reviews what is known about irritability in youth, including emotion-regulation and behavioral approaches.
Read the source (opens in a new tab): Irritability in Children and Adolescents
Practitioner Review: Definition, recognition, and treatment challenges of irritability in young people
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2018
Reviews how irritability is recognized and what treatments, including parent-focused and skills-based approaches, are used.
Psychosocial Treatment Efficacy for Disruptive Behavior Problems in Very Young Children: A Meta-Analytic Examination
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2013
A meta-analysis finding that parent-based behavioral programs help reduce disruptive behavior in young children.
Parent guide: big feelings (DMDD)
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder: The Basics
NIMH, 2026
Explains what DMDD is, how it differs from other conditions, and that a clinician makes the diagnosis.
Read the source (opens in a new tab): Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder: The Basics
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Facts for Families No. 110
AACAP, 2019
Family-friendly summary of DMDD and why a full evaluation by a qualified clinician is recommended.
Prevalence, Comorbidity, and Correlates of DSM-5 Proposed Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
American Journal of Psychiatry, 2013
Describes how common severe, persistent irritability is in youth and how often it occurs with other conditions.
Support
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
SAMHSA, 2025
Where to reach free, confidential crisis support by call or text in the United States.
Read the source (opens in a new tab): 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention
AAP and AFSP, 2023
Practical suicide-prevention strategies for clinicians, including safety planning.
Read the source (opens in a new tab): Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention
Safety Planning Intervention: A Brief Intervention to Mitigate Suicide Risk
Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 2012
Describes the step-by-step safety plan format (warning signs, coping steps, people to contact, making the space safer).
Safety plan
Safety Planning Intervention: A Brief Intervention to Mitigate Suicide Risk
Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 2012
Describes the step-by-step safety plan format (warning signs, coping steps, people to contact, making the space safer).
Comparison of the Safety Planning Intervention With Follow-up vs Usual Care of Suicidal Patients Treated in the Emergency Department
JAMA Psychiatry, 2018
In a study of adults, safety planning with follow-up was linked to fewer suicidal behaviors; it does not replace professional care.
Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention
AAP and AFSP, 2023
Practical suicide-prevention strategies for clinicians, including safety planning.
Read the source (opens in a new tab): Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention
Journal
Writing About Emotional Experiences as a Therapeutic Process
Psychological Science, 1997
Early research on writing about feelings; benefits were shown mostly in adults and are modest, so journaling is optional.
Read the source (opens in a new tab): Writing About Emotional Experiences as a Therapeutic Process
Resources
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
SAMHSA, 2025
Where to reach free, confidential crisis support by call or text in the United States.
Read the source (opens in a new tab): 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Autism Spectrum Disorder
NIMH, 2026
Plain-language overview of autism, including that supports are tailored to each person.
Read the source (opens in a new tab): Autism Spectrum Disorder
Suicide in Children and Teens, Facts for Families
AACAP, 2024
Warning signs and when to seek help for suicidal thoughts in young people.
Read the source (opens in a new tab): Suicide in Children and Teens, Facts for Families
Household
Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents
Pediatrics (AAP), 2019
Recommends behavioral parent training and classroom behavioral supports as part of ADHD treatment.
Psychosocial Treatment Efficacy for Disruptive Behavior Problems in Very Young Children: A Meta-Analytic Examination
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2013
A meta-analysis finding that parent-based behavioral programs help reduce disruptive behavior in young children.
Settings
Identification, Evaluation, and Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Pediatrics (AAP), 2020
AAP clinical report on autism care, including individualized behavioral, communication and environmental supports.
Evidence-Based Practices for Children, Youth, and Young Adults with Autism: Third Generation Review
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2021
Identifies supports with evidence for autistic people, such as visual supports, schedules, and prompting for transitions.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
NIMH, 2026
Plain-language overview of autism, including that supports are tailored to each person.
Read the source (opens in a new tab): Autism Spectrum Disorder