Managing ADHD in Children
When a child struggles with the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, it can be hard for the child as well as the parents.
For children with ADHD younger than 6 years of age, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parent training in behavior management as the first line of treatment. For children 6 years of age and older, the recommendations include medication and behavior therapy together, with the medication being overseen by a pediatrician.
Parents can use behavior management skills to support children with ADHD, and the child can use these skills to cope with ADHD symptoms throughout their lives.
Behavioral treatment should start as soon as the child receives a diagnosis. It can even be used if the child is not yet diagnosed, or if the diagnosis of ADHD is not certain. Starting early, before bad habits form, is better than later.
Here are a few suggestions for parents with children diagnosed with ADHD:
- Establish routines: Create routines for homework and chores, and be consistent across different settings and times of day. Try to follow the same schedule each day when possible, from wake-up to bedtime.
- Set goals: Help the child set goals that can be achieved in small steps. Once a goal is achieved, involving the child in the celebration is important.
- Provide rewards: Create a chart establishing the goals, and then use praise, gold stars, or a point system to reward good behavior.
- Communicate clearly: When parents are talking to their child, it’s important to give clear, specific directions while maintaining eye contact.
- Create a plan: When providing directions, it is also important for parents to be as concise as possible, and as helpful as possible when it comes to creating a plan for achieving goals and completing activities.
- Stay organized: Keep the home and child’s spaces as clean and organized as possible, with backpacks, clothing, toys and other items used by the child in the same place every day.
- Discipline effectively: Set up a specific consequence for misbehavior, and be consistent and fair about enforcing it. Instead of scolding, yelling, or spanking, parents are encouraged to use effective directions, time-outs or removal of privileges as consequences for inappropriate behavior. It is also important to provide consequences immediately following behavior.
- Limit choices: To help the child not feel overwhelmed or overstimulated, offer choices with only a few options. For example, parents should ask children to choose between this outfit or that one, this meal or that one, or this toy or that one.
- Manage distractions: During focus times, for example, during meal time or homework time, parents should limit distractions as much as possible. Turn off the TV, limit noise, and provide a clean workspace when the child is doing homework.
- Know your child: When it comes to managing distractions, some children with ADHD learn well if they are moving or listening to background music. Parents are encouraged to watch their child and see what works best for him or her.
- Create positive opportunities: Children with ADHD may find certain situations stressful. Finding out and encouraging what a child does well—whether it’s school, sports, art, music, or play—can help create positive experiences.
Sources –
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder
American Academy of Pediatrics
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