Notice your child struggling in school and at home with staying focused, following instructions, and controlling his impulses. You may feel a range of emotions as you notice that your child’s behavior is affecting his ability to make friends and do well in school. You might suspect that your child might have ADHD, but you’re not sure what to do next.

 

ADHD can be difficult for children and also make it harder for parents to take care of them. But, if parents learn how to look after a child with ADHD, it can make things easier and help the child do better. This can also reduce stress for the parents.

 

Raising a child with ADHD is different from raising a child without it. It can be hard to make rules and routines that work, depending on how severe your child’s symptoms are. You may need to try new ways of parenting. Sometimes, it can be hard to deal with your child’s behavior because of their ADHD, but there are things you can do to make things better.

 

How to manage ADHD in children

ADHD can be passed down from parents, but taking care of your child’s symptoms can make a big difference in how bad it is and how it affects them over time. The sooner you help your child, the better. You can stop them from having problems in school or with friends, and feeling bad about themselves. Even though it may be hard sometimes, you can make your child’s life better by making sure they have good places to learn and live.

●     Create a routine

Following a good routine can help kids with ADHD feel better. Children need to have a plan for their day, especially those with ADHD. Having a schedule for the morning, after school, and bedtime can help them know what to expect and build good habits. This can also help with their behavior. A routine can make kids feel more secure and safe. By having a routine, they can focus on one thing at a time and get things done.

●     Break tasks into manageable chunks

Children with ADHD can find it hard to follow directions that have many steps. To help them, you can break down the directions into smaller parts that are easier to do. You can also tell them that they’ll get a break after finishing each part. It’s important to set goals that are possible to achieve. If they get upset, they can take a break and come back later. Breaking down tasks into smaller parts can help them feel less stressed and anxious. It can also help them stay focused and feel more in control. This can improve their ability to plan and be organized.

●     Provide clear instructions and expectations

Children with ADHD need to know what people expect from them. They don’t do well when things are not clear and they have to guess what to do. So, you need to give them simple directions and make things easier for them to understand. You should also make sure they are listening before giving them instructions. It’s important to be patient and repeat instructions as needed. It’s not just about what you say, but how you say it. Make sure you look at the child when talking to them. You can also put up pictures or reminders around the house to help them stay on track.

●     Use positive reinforcement

One way to help kids with ADHD behave better is to use positive reinforcement. This means you give them praise, attention, or rewards when they do something good. This helps them to do it again in the future.

 

Here are some examples of positive reinforcement for children with ADHD:

1. Praise: Offer verbal praise for positive behavior, such as “Great job staying focused on your homework!”
2. Rewards: Create a reward system, such as earning points or tokens for positive behavior that can be traded in for something special, like extra screen time or a favorite treat.
3. Attention: Give positive attention for good behavior, such as spending extra time doing an activity your child enjoys together.
4. Stickers or Chart: Use a sticker chart to track positive behavior, and offer a reward when a certain number of stickers are earned.
5. Privileges: Allow special privileges or experiences when positive behavior is shown, such as extra time with a favorite toy or getting to choose a fun activity.

 

●     Limit distractions

ADHD affects a person’s attention due to brain differences. People with ADHD get easily distracted and face difficulty in staying organized, focused on tasks, and finishing them. To help them concentrate better and remember information, it is important to limit distractions that can overstimulate them.

 

Here are some ways to limit distractions at home to manage ADHD in children:

1. Create a designated study space
2. Use noise-canceling headphones
3. Eliminate unnecessary screens
4. Use visual aids

 

Caring for children with ADHD can be difficult for you and your family, but with proper support, they can still succeed and be happy. With the right care, children with ADHD can improve over time and even overcome many of their symptoms in adulthood. It’s important to remember that ADHD is not a result of bad parenting or misbehavior – it’s a unique challenge with its own benefits.

 

●     Seek out support

If you’re struggling to manage your child’s ADHD, we’re here to help. Our team of experts has years of experience in working with families to develop personalized strategies for managing ADHD symptoms. We understand that every child is unique, and we take a tailored approach to create a plan that works best for your child’s specific needs.

 

If you’re ready to take the next step in helping your child succeed, we invite you to reach out to us today. Our team is here to listen, support, and guide you through the process of managing your child’s ADHD. Together, we can create a plan that will help your child thrive in all aspects of their life, from academics to social activities.

 

Don’t wait any longer to get the help you need. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step in managing your child’s ADHD.

 

Written by: Alex Liau
Published on 24 July 2023