Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can make paying attention, staying still, controlling impulses, and completing important tasks difficult, which can be detrimental, especially for developing children.
If you want to help your child with ADHD have a productive and memorable childhood, you should learn more about the condition and enlist the help of a medical professional for tailored recommendations for you and your child.
Tip #1 Create a schedule and stick to it.
Children with ADHD benefit from structured routines to help them stay organized and focused. Embrace structure and scheduling, and let your child know your expectations with homework, meal, naptime, and playtime, and try to stick to it as best as you can.
Tip#2 Give concise and direct instructions.
Children with ADHD find clear, brief, and direct instructions easier to follow. Reduce the risk of being misunderstood, as you want your child to be able to follow the entirety of the instructions.
Tip #3 Give positive reinforcement.
Children with ADHD often struggle with self-confidence and need encouragement from their parents. Positive reinforcement can help boost your child’s morale and give them the motivation to keep trying.
Tip #4 Set boundaries.
Since ADHD makes it difficult to control impulses, testing boundaries is a very common problem. There has to be consequences for negative behavior, and boundaries should be consistently enforced.
Tip #5 Compromise.
When it comes to raising kids with ADHD, do not sweat the small stuff. Since the aim is not perfection but progress and learning, cut your child some slack if they forget something or make a mistake. You and your child have to work together, which means you have to be willing to compromise. If something didn’t work out as expected today, tomorrow is a new day.
Tip #6 Make sure your child gets enough exercise.
Children with ADHD tend to be more hyperactive and can benefit from getting regular exercise. Studies show that as little as 30 minutes of exercise helps improve symptoms of ADHD, so make daily exercise a part of their schedule. Walking, hopping and skipping, chasing pets, dancing, jumping jacks, jumping rope, sprinting, yoga, fishing, and riding a bike are examples of activities that count as exercise.
Tip #7 Be patient.
Patience is critical to success in raising kids with ADHD. Losing your cool in front of them can have long-term implications, as they may lose the ability to believe in themselves and their ability to learn and mature.
Tip #8 Don’t make your child feel different than other kids.
Yes, every child is unique, but do not make your child feel inferior to other kids. Children want to belong and not stand out, as the acceptance of their peers is important to them. It’s important to teach your child that ADHD is just one part of them, not their whole identity, and that everyone has unique aspects to them.
Tip #9 Work with your child’s teachers and caregivers.
It takes a village to raise a child, and parents, teachers, and caregivers should work together to come up with a plan that will help make it easier for them to teach and provide care. ADHD is not considered a learning disability, therefore, they will remain in classrooms with other kids who do not have the condition, so teachers can help by establishing consistency and structure in the classroom.
Tip #10 Seek out support.
There are many helpful resources available online, such as healthychildren.org and organizations like Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), that can provide you with tools and support to raise your child with ADHD. There will be times when you end up feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, and isolated, but you must remember that you are not alone, provided you reach out to others for help. Finally, your biggest resource is your child’s pediatrician. Talk to their doctor about ways to improve your child’s environment and routine to help them flourish.
Pediatric Care in The Woodlands and Spring, TX
At Northwoods Pediatric Center, P.A., our well-trained pediatricians are committed to providing the highest quality specialized care for children with ADHD and support for parents who are raising them. Compared to corporate-run healthcare facilities, our approach is personal. We treat each and every one of our patients like family. For education, guidance, support, and treatment, put your trust in our pediatricians. To schedule an appointment, call our pediatric clinic in The Woodlands today at (281) 296-7770 or use our convenient online form.
