Strategies for Managing ADHD

Successfully managing a child's ADHD at home can be a challenge.  ADHD requires you to be even more of a parent than the average mom or dad due to your child's increased activity level and their decreased control over their own behavior. You can't expect your child to apply what they have learned from one situation to another. You have to continue to teach your child the same lessons over and over until they acquire the new skill. As a result,  your frustration level with your child with ADHD will be high and discipline can seem to be ineffective. However, there are some methods and strategies you can utilize with your child with ADHD:
         
             * Resist the urge to constantly discipline your child. Save punishments for really negative behavior such as aggression. Avoid yelling, spanking, and threats.  Instead, calmly remove your child from the situation and give them a "time-out" (no more than 5 minutes) or send them to a quiet area to gather themselves to return when they feel calm and ready to discuss their negative behavior and their plan to improve their behavior.

            * Emphasize good behavior.  Reward completion of simple tasks. This has been shown to help modify the behavior of children with ADHD. For example, if you ask your child to put their clothes in their drawer reward the completion of this simple task by letting them pick out a sticker or give them a high-five or hug and a "thanks for....."   

            * Give Praise. Complement them and give extra attention to the things your child does well. Your child may feel like a failure because they have a hard time doing things that other children can do easily. 

            * Children with ADHD are prone to being disorganized and often lose things. You can help your child by designating places for all of their things including school items, toys, shoes, etc. Maintain an organized home. You will need to spend time every day to help your child stay organized. 

            * Have a regular routine. Your child with ADHD needs to know what to expect each day. Have a consistent bedtime and wake-up time. Keep meal times consistent and schedule time for homework, play time, chores, and media time. If there will be disruptions to the regular schedule make sure your child is aware every day. You can't tell them on Sunday and expect them to remember on Wednesday. Posting a schedule on the refrigerator where your child can check it multiple times a day can be helpful. 

          * Explain task instructions to your child in simple terms. Break tasks down into specific steps. If you tell your child with ADHD to "clean your room" you already know that you will find them 5 minutes later on the floor playing with their toys. Instructions must be one task at a time. For example, "pick up your clothes off the floor and put them in the laundry basket." You will still likely have to supervise them in this simple task. Remember that you are training them for the future. In the present they still need a lot of hands-on coaching. 

Accept that your child with ADHD requires a lot of extra time and effort. And enjoy the energy and life they bring to your home. 

Next blog:   Homework Strategies for Children with ADHD