The New Forest Parenting Programme (NFPP)

How does programme work? (What is the theory of change?)
NFPP assumes that the ADHD child’s behaviour and attention problems can be ‘scaffolded’
by the parent through positive, reciprocal interactions with the child. NFPP therefore
teaches parents how to be supportive of their ADHD child’s needs, set appropriate limits
and select appropriate, yet challenging goals. Effective parent scaffolding will, in turn, help
the child better regulate his or her behaviour and increase his or her ability to concentrate.
Constructive
and positive
parent and child
interactions help
ADHD children
better manage
their attention and
impulses
Parents learn to:
• Reduce negative
responses to their
child
• Respond more
positively to their
child
• Enforce limits
• Scaffold their child’s
attention and selforganisation
skills
Short-term goals:
In the short term, it is expected that there will be improvements in:
• Parents’ knowledge about the nature of ADHD
• Parents’ use of strategies for managing ADHD
• Children’s behaviour and impulsivity
• The parent-child relationship.
Long-term goals:
In the long term, it is expected that:
• Children will have fewer symptoms of ADHD
• Parents will experience less stress.
Children are better
able to manage
their impulses and
attention
• Children’s behaviour
improves
• Children can
concentrate better
• Parents experience
less stress
• The parent-child
relationship improves
How do parents learn during the programme?
Parents learn from practitioner instruction and modelling, role-play, homework
assignments and discussion. Parents also learn from practitioner feedback provided during
games that aim to increase the child’s attention and reduce impulsive behaviour.
Parental engagement:
Home visiting ensures that parents can attend the sessions and that the activities are
relevant to the family’s needs. The practitioners also receive extensive training on how to
motivate parents and develop a supportive relationship with them.