Children with ADHD need consistent rules that they can
understand and follow. If children follow rules, they should be
rewarded. Children with ADHD often receive, and expect, criticism.
Children's good behavior should be sought out and praised.
Parents should:
- Provide clear, consistent expectations, directions, and
limits -- Children with ADHD need to know exactly what
others expect from them.
- Set up an effective discipline system -- Parents
should learn discipline methods that reward appropriate behavior
and respond to misbehavior with alternatives such as "time out" or
loss of privileges.
- Create a behavior modification plan to change the most
problematic behaviors -- Behavior charts that track a
child's chores or responsibilities and that offer potential
rewards for positive behaviors can be helpful tools. These charts,
as well as other behavior modification techniques, will help
parents address problems in systematic, effective ways.
Children with ADHD might need help in organizing. Therefore,
parents should encourage the child with ADHD to:
- Schedule -- The child should have the same routine
every day, from wake-up time to bedtime. The schedule should
include homework time and playtime.
- Organize needed everyday items -- The child should
have a place for everything and keep everything in its place. This
includes clothing, backpacks, and school supplies.
- Use homework and notebook organizer -- Stress the
importance of having the child write down assignments and bring
home needed books.
Helpful tips for doing homework
Parents can help a
child with ADHD achieve academic success by taking steps to improve
the quality of the child's homework. Parents should make sure
that a child with ADHD is:
- Seated in a quiet area without clutter or distractions
- Given clear, concise instructions
- Encouraged to write each assignment in a notebook as it is
given by the teacher
- Responsible for his/her own assignments -- Parents should
not do for the child what he or she can do for himself or
herself.
ADHD and driving
Driving poses special risks,
particularly for teens with ADHD. Driving risks associated with a
diagnosis of ADHD include:
- Deficiencies in attention
- Impulsivity
- Risk-taking tendencies
- Immature judgment
- Thrill-seeking tendencies
Teen driving privileges should be discussed in light of the
overall ADHD treatment plan. It is a parent's responsibility to
establish rules and expectations for safe driving behaviors.
Tips for the teacher
With simple adjustments in the
classroom, teachers can more easily work with the strengths and
weaknesses of the child with ADHD.
It is helpful for teachers to:
- Give assignments one at a time to avoid work overload
- Pair written instructions with oral instructions
- Give clear instructions
- Set up clear rules of behavior and consequences for breaking
these rules
- Seat the child near a good role model or near the teacher
Kids and relationships
Not all children with ADHD
have trouble getting along with others. For those who do, however,
steps can be taken to improve a child's relationships. The
earlier a child's difficulties with peers are noticed, the more
successful such steps might be. It is helpful for parents to:
- Recognize the importance of healthy peer relationships for
children
- Involve a child in activities with his or her peers
- Set up social behavior goals with the child and implement a
reward program
- Encourage social interactions if the child is withdrawn or
excessively shy
- Encourage a child to play with only one other child at a
time