Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - What You Can Do

Children with this condition can stretch the patience of all members of the family. You need to try a range of strategies to help your child learn and develop, and reduce stress in the family. It is also important to be consistent, work as a team and support each other as much as possible. Frequent breaks from the child are also valuable to gain some respite from the demands of caring for a child with ADHD.

Some strategies are:

• Develop consistent routines at home and school.

• Keep rules clear and simple and give reminders calmly.

• Remember, your child does not intend to be difficult.

• Get close to your child and make sure you have their full attention when you talk to them.

• Give instructions one or two at a time.

• Praise your child and look out for them doing something good.

• Supervise closely as your child may put themselves in dangerous situations.

• Try to ignore minor irritating behaviours.

• Provide clear disciplinary consequences for major misbehaviour—for example, time-out (between two and ten years of age) or logical consequences for older children.

Points To Remember:

• Not all children who are inattentive, impulsive and overactive have ADHD.

• No single test can diagnose ADHD. Assessment by a doctor or a psychologist involves putting together lots of pieces of information before a diagnosis can be made.

• Medication, positive parenting strategies, school support and counselling can greatly help most children with ADHD and their families.

• Children with ADHD need support and understanding from family and teachers.

See your doctor if you are concerned about your child's health.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment