Tips For Dealing With ADHD: Dos And Don’ts
Understanding that a child with ADHD is not problematic but has a special condition will help you focus your strategies in a more accurate way.
Having a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can be a daily challenge, with moments of frustration and a lot of stress. However, although it may seem difficult at times, giving the best education to a child with ADHD can be easier if you use a few strategies.
Normal home routines may not work if your child has ADHD, and traditional education formulas are often not effective. Therefore, it must be understood that children with this condition have different needs and reactions. It is parents who have to change the way they approach situations.
Characteristics of children with ADHD
Not all children with ADHD present the same behavior, as symptoms can vary in intensity and can even manifest independently. In fact, in most cases, children with ADHD have only one or two groups of symptoms.
The three main characteristics of ADHD are hyperactivity, attention deficit and impulsivity, as this article published in the CES Psychology Journal points out . In this sense, c ach has particular symptoms.
Hyperactivity
- Restlessness. The child has a hard time staying calm.
- He talks constantly, even when he shouldn’t.
- Makes noises when not speaking.
- It is difficult for him to relax.
- Leave one activity unfinished and move on to another.
- Quickly gets bored with things.
Attention deficit
- It is difficult for him to concentrate.
- You have trouble paying attention for a long time.
- He is easily distracted by things around him.
- They don’t pay attention to details.
- You have a tendency not to follow orders or instructions.
- He is messy and has a hard time organizing his tasks.
- You forget where you leave your things.
- Change the conversation without much sense.
Impulsiveness
- The child is impatient.
- He acts impulsively, without thinking about what he is going to do.
- Interrupts the conversations or activities of others.
- Frequently grab whatever is within reach.
- Give aggressive or dominating responses.
- It is not controlled or dominated.
Dos and Don’ts to Cope with ADHD
Some adjustments in the way you relate to your child can have a very positive effect on his behavior and handling of situations that arise. While some things that work in traditional education have negative effects on children with ADHD. Thus, the recommendations provided by KidsHealth will be taken into account .
No – Use punishment
Most of the time, when a child with ADHD disobeys instructions or does something wrong, it is not done out of rebellion, but out of distraction.
Dr. Russell Barkley, a psychologist specializing in ADHD, believes that punishment only works in the very short term. And this is evidenced by this study published in the Journal of Neurology . In the long run, the child will lose motivation to do the things that are asked of him. However, you will feel anger and frustration, you will soon forget your lesson, and you will learn to be aggressive.
Yes – Use ADHD-specific training and motivation
An Ohio University study found that training and reward have positive results. If you want your child to do something in particular, do it with him the first few times and praise him when he does it on his own.
No – Improvise rules
Children with ADHD can have trouble understanding and remembering the rules of home and behavior. Learning and internalizing them may take longer, but it will be even more difficult if they are changed. You will make mistakes in the process, but don’t constantly change the rule for that.
Yes – Set clear rules and allow some flexibility
The rules should be clear and simple, easy to follow. You can write them down on a piece of paper and put them in a visible place. The learning process will not be overnight, so you must be flexible and patient in accepting mistakes. Remember to reward achievements in some way and avoid punishment.
No – Individualize the problems
When there is a problem, your child does not obey or has not followed instructions, resist the temptation to blame him. Avoid telling him that he is distracted or lazy. Don’t berate him for what he did or didn’t do with phrases like “Why couldn’t you do this? or Why did you do this other? ” . Surely he will not have an explanation and will feel more frustration.
Yes – Teamwork to cope with ADHD
Do not look for blame, look for solutions with him. Propose him to be part of that solution. Use phrases like “We have this problem. How do we fix it? ” . Let him propose the action to take and, if he is correct, reward him with words. If his proposal is not the best, do not discourage him, guide him to reach the right solution.
No – Say “no” without thinking
Sometimes it is necessary to say “no” , but it is better to think a little before prohibiting something outright. Other times, the “no” is a product of our concerns or habit of controlling, rather than a real need. Therefore, it is better to reflect if there is another possible answer.
Another consideration is that children with ADHD tend to rebel and the excess of negative responses can be a stimulant of this behavior
Yes – Use “yes” to say “no”
If you have the assurance that the correct answer is “no” , looking for a creative way to do this with “yes”. Suggest something else and negotiate. Make him participate in that new proposal to stimulate him. This is not to say that you should never give a negative answer, but look for a polite way to do it.
No – Be flexible with sleep times
Children with ADHD often have trouble falling asleep. When they sleep little, hyperactivity and distractions increase.
It is logical to think that you have to let him sleep when he is sleepy, but if you do, he will not sleep long enough and therefore will not have the necessary rest for the body and mind. When he’s tired and it’s not time to sleep, do other activities that grab his attention.
Yes – Create a sleeping ritual
Make a routine for bedtime. Whether it’s during naps or at night, set a fixed time for going to bed. Turn off all the lights, keep the house as calm as possible, and help him fall asleep.
Avoid eating sweets, caffeinated drinks and any other type of stimulant. Cut down on TV time. In short, create a sleeping ritual.
Other considerations in ADHD
Don’t underestimate the medication
If the doctor has recommended any type of medication, you have to be strict in its administration. Medications are a great help to control symptoms, as evidenced by this publication in Therapeutics Journal . If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor.
Do specific exercise routines for ADHD
Physical activities help burn energy. In addition, they will help your child focus and decrease his impulsiveness. And this is evidenced by this article published in EmásF: physical education digital magazine .
Divide tasks into parts
Things that may seem simple to anyone can be daunting challenges for a child with ADHD. Therefore, it is advisable to divide them into small activities that may be more manageable for him.
Help him with a written calendar of these activities and separate them by color, so that they are easier to differentiate and appear to be separate things. Do not make a single list, as he will consider it impossible to address.
Limit distractions
Anything around you can grab your attention. As much as possible, create special environments for your activities. Do not have a television or video games in the room where he sleeps or where he does homework; put toys away for bedtime or turn off the TV while you eat.
Take breaks
Both you and your child need breaks. He needs breaks between his activities so he doesn’t feel overloaded. Nor is it convenient that he constantly depends on you. You must learn to trust yourself. You also need free time to relax and not feel overwhelmed.
Seek professional help on ADHD
In short, even if you think you can handle everything without help, that is not possible. A psychologist specialized in ADHD will give you tools to work with your child that will open up a new world of alternatives.
You can also seek help at home with a specialized babysitter, who will allow you to take breaks knowing that your child is in good hands.
