Parenting a Child With ADHD

The recommended treatment for ADHD is commonly a combination of medication and counseling for skill building. But parents can help out at home. Here are some suggestions to help create an environment at home to foster your child’s success with ADHD:
 

• Keep it positive: ADHD can be frustrating for the child, parents, and siblings. When you are calm and focused, it is much easier to help your child be calm and focused.
• Routine, routine, routine: Children and adults with ADHD benefit from knowing the time and place for everything. Using clocks and timers can help them manage their time. Visual aids like a chore list or checklist are helpful in to establish routines and as a reminder for daily activities.
• Set the ground rules: Make sure to set clear expectations and rules.
• Positive praise is a great tool to help reinforce positive behaviors. Immediate rewards and praise can work better than a promise of a future reward.
• Get active – Keeping a child with ADHD busy is important. Whether it is an after school activity, a sport or a recreational activity with the family. Keeping active fosters improved social skills, improved self-control and helps grow self-confidence.
• Most of all, be patient with your child and yourself and keep things in perspective.

Take care of yourself: Modeling behaviors such as healthy eating, exercise, and healthy sleep patterns can help your child learn great life skills and help you stay calm. Taking breaks when you get frustrated and seeking support can help the parent not feel so isolated and frustrated.
 
Other helpful resources: Additude Mag, How to ADHD