Last Updated on Thursday, 03 September 2009 17:41

Parents and ADHD

There are several myths regarding ADHD and one of them is that it is caused by bad parenting. This is not true at all. If you feel you're failing as a parent and get stressed about it, it will only make things harder for you and your child to cope with the symptoms of ADHD. It is a very difficult task for parents to cope with the behavioural pattern of a child diagnosed with ADHD. As a parent, you need to be patient and supportive of your child’s condition.

As a child with ADHD is highly unpredictable, normal parenting methods may not always work. Your style of parenting will affect your child's behaviour, so you may need to make a few changes.

Style of parenting

• If you and your partner disagree on a particular thing, it may confuse your child. This may deteriorate his/her behaviour.

• If you are not strict with your rules, your child may start behaving badly.

• Many a times you may ignore your child’s bad behaviour as you feel ADHD is your fault as a bad or harsh parent. This will only add to the bad behaviour of your child.

• You should plan special holiday trips or small time-outs with your child.

Setting discipline

Discipline is important as it teaches the child what is acceptable and what is not, what is allowed and what is not. In the case of a child with ADHD, you need to praise good behaviour and ignore bad behaviour as much as you can. But when it comes to rules, you need to be strict and consistent in your approach. For example, one of your rules may include homework before TV or no TV for the rest of the evening. A system of rewards and punishments proves to be an effective way to modify a child’s behaviour.

Children with ADHD may need help in organizing

• You need to maintain their schedule. Help them follow the same routine every day, from wake-up time to bedtime. The schedule should include homework time and playtime.

• Organize your child’s everyday items. Keep things in their place and encourage your child to do the same.

• Help them organise their school homework. Stress the importance of writing down assignments.

• Keep your instructions simple and to the point. And always be positive in your words. Tell your child what you want him to do. For example, you may say, “Walk slowly” instead of “Don’t run”.

• You may help your child control his impulse by using counting techniques such as, “Count quietly to five, then act.”