The Challenging Horizons Program
What is the Challenging Horizons Program?
The CHP was developed in 1999 by Dr. Steven Evans and has undergone extensive development work and multiple clinical trials. For a description of some of that work and a list of key collaborators, click CHP primarily takes a training approach to addressing the social and academic impairment of adolescents with ADHD (i.e., not behavioral or CBT). There is evidence of long-term gains in social and academic functioning for adolescents with ADHD, indicating that it is one of the most effective psychosocial treatments for these adolescents.
Challenging Horizons After School Program
Students attended the program after school ends twice per week for the entire school year. They were paired with a counselor and participated in group and individual activities designed to target skills that they may struggle with, such as organization, social skills note taking and recreation.
The after school program offered a highly structured and rewarding environment that shaped the behavior of participants with the goal of helping them develop socially acceptable ways of meeting typical school demands.
Research suggested that the program was effective in reducing academic impairment as evidenced by fewer missing assignments, improved organizational performance and better parent and teacher ratings of academic performance.
Challenging Horizons Consultation Program
Through this part of the program, a trained consultant worked in conjunction with specific teachers and/or counselors to identify strategies that they can implement with students during the school day, which target organization, social skills, note taking and study skills. The consultants typically met with the teacher and/or counselor during the school day.
Research showed that the program was effective at improving teacher ratings of classroom performance. Additionally, the program reduced the likelihood of drastically slipping grades when compared to students with ADHD who were not part of the program.