Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects the attentiveness of a child, usually accompanied by hyperactivity and impulsiveness. It usually begins in childhood and could potentially last a lifetime. As ADHD commonly results in low self-esteem, troubled relationships, and difficulties in school, it requires a delicate approach from the parents to tackle it from a very early stage.
Given below are eight best practices that are tested and followed from time to time to effectively raise a child with ADHD. To put these tips into practice, firstly you should know the characteristics of such children like hard to focus, complete tasks, manage impulses, and follow directions. Below are some of the strategies to adopt for kids with ADHD to cope up better in life.
Provide Positive attention:
Parents of ADHD children find it very exhausting to handle them with their daily needs. Their high energy and desire to talk constantly can tire even the most patient parent in the town. It takes a lot of work and understanding to lend ears to their talks and respond contextually. With this, the job is half done. However, providing good attention accompanied by positive and encouraging feedback to this child is a good investment for their future.
Positive playtime minimizes attention-seeking behavior. How hard their behavior may be, set a one on one time with your child every day. You will definitely see effective consequences through that.
Give Effective Instructions:
Kids with attention deficit need extra help in following directions. Oftentimes, they don’t follow the instructions in the first place.
Give your instructions in a way to gain the child’s full attention. It’s more efficient if we interact with them by establishing eye contact. Also, switching off the TV and other gadgets would be of great help while interacting with kids. Establish a comfortable and assuring environment by placing your hands on the child’s shoulder before making any request to them.
Avoid giving chain commands to the ADHD child as he or she is likely to follow all the commands at a time. Give one instruction at a time. Help them to stay away from broad tasks like cleaning the room. Instead, provide a checklist of tasks and assign them to do one by one.
Praise Your Child’s Effort
When your child is good, point it out and praise them. Frequent praise motivates ADHD children and helps them in improving their behavior. Consistent feedback is also important for growing young minds. Keep your praises specific to a particular task. Instead of just telling them a nice job, tell them that they have done a great job like putting away the dishes in the kitchen. Praise your child for following directions, playing quietly and sitting still without creating a big fuss. All these encourage them to behave properly.
Use Time-Out When Necessary:
Timeout is an essential factor for ADHD kids to calm their bodies and brains. It is a great life skill that ought to be helpful in many situations. Teach them to identify a quiet spot to calm down when they are overstimulated or frustrated. Create comfortableness for them and teach them to soothe themselves. Eventually, they will understand how to manage that situation without our help in case of any trouble.
Ignore Mild Misbehaviors:
Oftentimes kids with ADHD have attention-seeking behavior. Giving them attention in negative situations encourages their behavior. Ignoring such behavior’s will help them realize that obnoxious behavior’s will not help them to yield desired results. Try to ignore conditions like whining, shouting, complaining and any other attempts that interrupt you. Eventually, your child ought to stop all these behaviors.
Allow for Natural Consequences:
Pick up the battles wisely when disciplining the ADHD child. Do not give your child the feeling of emptiness or belittle them for any kind of job. They don’t want to get into constant trouble either. Let the natural consequences make more sense than trying to convince a child. For example, let them eat when they are hungry and do not force them to eat. Try to discipline them in a natural way.
Establish a Reward System:
Reward systems work well to help stay the child on track. Establish a token earning system throughout the day. Give away the tokens while waiting at the table during a meal, for gentle touches on a pet, or even for putting toys away after playing. Also, exchange the tokens for getting bigger rewards like for playing electronic games, etc.
Work With Your Child’s Teacher:
Allow the parents to work along with the teacher which increases the chances for the child to be successful in school. Give some extra time for kids to finish their tests. Such small modifications might be useful for fewer children. Without forcing the child, work along with them to manage their behavioral symptoms effectively. Exercise and spending time outdoors is positive and efficient way to reduce the symptoms of ADHD.
ADHD people have a unique perspective and others find it valuable and interesting. ADHD treatment in Chennai has been given to kids to treat the problem of hyperactivity and inattentiveness. There has been a lack of clear understanding of ADHD and its diagnosis and treatment exist among the communities of parents, teachers and healthcare providers. But these techniques ought to help the child with ADHD to improve their behavior and be successful in life.
