Introduction
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a brain disorder that makes it hard for a person to focus and pay attention. People with ADHD may often feel restless and have trouble sitting still, or they may be disruptive in class. ADHD affects people of all ages, but symptoms tend to appear first during childhood. Children with ADHD often have trouble making friends and are easily frustrated by everyday tasks. Parents of children with ADHD need to know the best ways to help their child succeed at school, home, and work—without sacrificing their own sanity! Here’s how you can manage your child's ADHD:
Begin with a plan
Planning is an essential part of parenting for all children, but it's especially important for those with ADHD. Without a plan, your child will likely become overwhelmed by his environment and struggle to stay focused on what he needs to do. A plan helps him focus on the task at hand and gives him something else besides his impulses to think about.
In addition to helping you manage your child's behavior and emotions, planning will also help you manage stress levels in yourself so that you can continue being a good parent even when things get challenging or frustrating.
Treat your child as a teammate
As a parent, it's easy to get frustrated when your child doesn't follow through with instructions or fails to complete tasks. But remember that you and your child are on the same team--the one that's trying to help him succeed in school and life.
A good coach knows that teamwork doesn't happen automatically: it requires effort from everyone involved. The same is true when managing ADHD in children at home or school: if you want things done right, then you need each other!
So how can you help your child become a good teammate? Here are some tips:
Make things predictable
Make things predictable. The more predictable your child's environment is, the better he or she will be able to cope with life's ups and downs. For example:
- Get into a routine for bedtime, meal times, and weekends. This can help with regulating moods and focusing on schoolwork during the weekdays.
- Try to make sure that you don't change plans at the last minute without warning your child first; it will make them feel anxious if they're not prepared for these changes in their schedule (and may lead them to act out).
Put things in writing
Use a calendar or planner to keep track of appointments, activities, and homework. Write down the tasks you need to complete each day. Also, write down the things your child needs to remember--for example: "bring my library book home" or "call Grandma." If you have trouble remembering something important that falls through the cracks, write it down! This will help keep everyone on track with their responsibilities and make sure nothing slips through the cracks in your ADHD household.
Break down tasks into simple steps
- Use a checklist to help you remember all the things that need to be done.
- Break down tasks into simple steps, especially if your child has ADHD. For example, instead of asking him or her to clean the whole house, ask them precisely what they can do in each room and then check off each task as they complete it.
Use timers when working on homework or other projects so that there's no pressure from mommy or daddy standing over them saying, "Hurry up!" Instead, use timers as a way for kids with ADHD who struggle with time management skills to have an opportunity for self-regulation without feeling overwhelmed or under pressure from parents who might not understand how difficult it can be for kids with ADHD who struggle with time management skills (and may even feel like failures) when trying their best but still end up being late because they don't know how long something will take them even though we tell them before starting it!
Allow more time for transitions
Transitions can be complex for everyone, but they can be incredibly challenging for children with ADHD. If you have a child with ADHD, you may already know that it takes them longer to get ready for school or bedtime. This is because they have trouble focusing their attention on one task at a time and then shifting it to another activity or location.
The best way to help your child manage transitions is by planning ahead as much as possible and keeping things simple when necessary. For example:
- If your child has difficulty transitioning from playing outside into the house after school, try waiting until there's just enough time left before dinner so that he doesn't become too hungry or tired (but not so much time as to cause frustration). Then ask him what he'd like to do first--eat dinner together as soon as possible? Or play outside for a while longer?
Build in regular exercise, downtime, and breaks
- Exercise: daily exercise is an essential part of managing ADHD. It can help to reduce symptoms and improve mental health.
- Downtime: you may need to give your child time away from screens and other distractions during homework time, which can be hard if they don't want to do their homework! But research shows that this type of downtime helps children focus better when they do get back to work on it later in the evening or another day.
- Breaks: taking regular breaks from tasks helps us stay focused on what we're doing, so make sure you give yourself (and your kids) plenty of opportunities for these throughout the day
If you know what’s coming, it is easier to handle, control, or avoid it altogether – not only for you but also for your child!
If you know what's coming, it is easier to handle, control, or avoid it altogether - not only for you but also for your child!
ADHD can be managed in several ways. Here are some tips:
- A good night's sleep is essential for everyone. If possible, make sure that your child gets enough sleep every night.
- Eat healthy food and exercise regularly.
- Take time out from schoolwork so that he/she doesn't get too tired during the day.
- Provide opportunities for social interaction with peers and adults (like playing outside with friends).
- Try to ensure that your child has a quiet place where he/she can do homework without distractions.
Conclusion
Hopefully, the tips we've shared with you in this article have given you a better understanding of what it means to live with ADHD and how it can affect your child. If so, then we have succeeded in sharing some of our own experiences with you and helping others who are struggling through similar issues at home or work. We hope that by reading this guide, you will feel more prepared when faced with new challenges as they arise in life - whether they be large or small!
