It is a strength-based treatment approach that helps individuals with ADHD, Learning Difficulties, anxiety and depression gain control on their emotional, social and academic life through the use of different coaching techniques, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, mindfulness and other treatment approaches, which will help them master self-management and self-regulation.
It is a therapeutic model that doesn’t deny the risk, the challenges and deficiencies that come along with ADHD disorder but at the same time believes in the skills upon which the person can build a life full of success. It highlights what can be done to empower oneself and overcome the deficiencies.
It is an attempt to replace the deficit- based model which tried for decades to manage people with ADHD and replace it with a model that empowers them instead of breaking their spirit with stereotyped ideas.
Winner of the best paper award at the ARICELL/ARICPEST Conference, King’s College- London 2019
A Research Based Model
The model was the outcome of a longitudinal research that started in 2015 and has won the best paper award at the 2019 ARICELL/ ARICPEST Conference- King’s College, London. As well, it was Featured in CHADD’s “Innovative Programs Sessions” at the 2019 International Conference on ADHD- USA and was registered in ARICELL/ ARICPEST Conference in Harvard University in 2022. The study clearly demonstrated that the DECISION Therapeutic Model had a significant and meaningful impact on students‟ self-regulation, executive functioning skills, and well- being. There were significant differences between the treatment group and the comparison group, in favour of the treatment group, on all three cluster scores. The intervention provided by the eight stages at DECISION Therapeutic Model helped to build students‟ confidence and enhanced their organizational and time management skills. Participation in the study resulted in improvement in students‟ approach to learning. The research is still ongoing and many additional outcomes were encountered to prove the competence of the ‘D.E.C.I.S.I.O.N’ four empowerment cycles to support clients develop the adaptability skills needed to explore a life transformation experience and has resulted in the development of a new theory in growth- the “Self-Sustained Growth Theory”.
The ‘Self-Sustained Growth’ Theory
By Dr. Shaaban
The ‘Self Sustained Growth’ theory evolved as a phenomenon where all components are in constant movement. Being the core component, self-awareness, exhibits radar-like abilities observing our inner and outer world to detect one’s blind spots, maladaptive habits, automatic thoughts, and hidden emotions to call for action. It recognizes our successful experiences, cherishes our values, to continuously set goals that align our ‘Actual self’ with our ‘Ideal self’.
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When goals are set, a person then proceeds to the self-evaluation phase where the success factors are identified, strengths and lagging skills needed to fulfil the goals are examined, and action plans are developed.
As the implementation stage might be intimidating for many people, the self-regulation phase is resumed, and the self-regulation competency must be practiced resolving the fears and automatic thoughts that are consuming our efforts to move forward.
The self-sustained growth theory
When self-regulation is achieved, we become able to focus on the change and hence elicit that inner desire to self-engagement phase. That desire further encourages us to implement new skills to achieve our goal. This is known as the self-engagement phase.
The continuous tuning of abilities and refinement of skills will then allow one to progress to self-growth. At this phase we would be fully capable of having a new perspective on our goals. A fully aware, determined outlook.
These skills could be constantly improved. The five phases of the ‘Self-Sustained Growth’ theory can be envisioned as an individual atom that illustrates the journey taken to achieve an experience or a goal.
On a larger scale, we can come to understand how each atom bonds together to form the molecular structure that defines us. This is the ‘Self-Sustained Growth’ theory developed by the researcher, and the ‘D.E.C.I.S.I.O.N-D.E.A.R 2 M.E’ model is the tool that can be used to reach self-sustained growth.
To sustain any behavioural change and work on one’s self-growth, individuals need to refine their self-awareness till it becomes an integral part of who they are and can utilize it at different points depending on the situation and their personalities.