Deal with Having a Child with ADHD

A child with ADHD can become frustrated by adults and fellow students who treat them differently because of the way their brain works, adding to their day-to-day struggles. Proper treatment, however, helps a large majority of children with ADHD improve. That's why it's important to educate yourself about your child's ADHD and how to treat it.

Steps

 * 1) Keep in mind that in no way or form is your child stupid or insane. Their brain is wired differently, and while they can be quite a handful, they aren't dumb or crazy. [[Image:Deal with Having a Child with ADHD Step 1.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 2) Educate yourself. As a parent, you are your child's most important advocate. That's why you need to become well-versed on your child's medical, legal, and educational rights. [[Image:Deal with Having a Child with ADHD Step 2.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 3) Get your child diagnosed by a doctor if they haven't been already. Doctors can determine whether or not your child has ADHD based on standard guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. They will also look at your child's medical history and assess testimonies about your child's behavior from teachers and caretakers. Once your child has a diagnosis, your doctor can tell if a a medication regimen is the right solution. [[Image:Deal with Having a Child with ADHD Step 3.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 4) Ask your pediatrician about your child's diet. While it's still unclear whether a change in diet can help with ADHD symptoms, there are some experts who believe that high protein foods and complex carbs can improve concentration. Just make sure that you run any major diet changes by a doctor first. [[Image:Deal with Having a Child with ADHD Step 4.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 5) Make sure that both you and your child are educated about ADHD and your treatment options. Your child's treatment plan may include therapy, special education programs and medication. According to Web MD, studies show that a combination of therapy and medication produces better results than therapy alone. [[Image:Deal with Having a Child with ADHD Step 5.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 6) Attend support groups. Support groups will connect you to other families with similar experiences and concerns. [[Image:Deal with Having a Child with ADHD Step 6.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 7) Attend parenting skills training. Children with ADHD may not respond well to conventional parenting practices, which is why experts recommend parent training. Parent skills training will teach you how to change your child's behavior through the use of rewards and consequences. [[Image:Deal with Having a Child with ADHD Step 7.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 8) Provide positive feedback for the behavior you want to encourage and ignore behavior you want to discourage. When behavior becomes really out of control, consider putting them in a time-out. Create a chart that tracks your child's goals and achievements. Reward your child when they meet their goals. [[Image:Deal with Having a Child with ADHD Step 8.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 9) Be clear and consistent when communicating the rules to your child. Avoid long-winded explanations. [[Image:Deal with Having a Child with ADHD Step 9.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 10) Engage in pleasant or relaxing activities with your child. [[Image:Deal with Having a Child with ADHD Step 10.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 11) Help your child discover what they do well. [[Image:Deal with Having a Child with ADHD Step 11.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 12) Be positive and praise your child's good points. [[Image:Deal with Having a Child with ADHD Step 12.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 13) Restructure situations so that they are more manageable for someone with ADHD. This could mean limiting the number of playmates to avoid over stimulation or dividing a big task into smaller, more manageable tasks. [[Image:Deal with Having a Child with ADHD Step 13.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 14) Look into getting an ADD coach for your child. ADD coaches can help you child be more successful. If you can't find an ADD coach, consider getting someone to help with a particular area your child struggles with such as a professional organizer. [[Image:Deal with Having a Child with ADHD Step 14.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 15) Consider social skills training as this may teach your child behaviors which will help them develop and maintain social relationships. [[Image:Deal with Having a Child with ADHD Step 15.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 16) Create a daily schedule and keep the same daily routine from wake-up time to bedtime. Make sure you include homework, as well as indoor and outdoor activities. Keep the daily schedule somewhere in the house, such as a bulletin board or the refrigerator. This can help your child stay on task.  [[Image:Deal with Having a Child with ADHD Step 16.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 17) Limit TV time. While there isn't a clear link between television and ADHD, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that older children watch no more than two hours of TV a day. Encourage your child to participate in activities that foster attention skills such as games, puzzles, and reading. [[Image:Deal with Having a Child with ADHD Step 17.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 18) Ask your child's school to see if your child is eligible for special education services. In the US, some ADHD children qualify for individualized education programs according to the guidelines set forth in the Individuals with Disabilities act. Consider telling teachers about your child's ADHD at the start of each school year. [[Image:Deal with Having a Child with ADHD Step 18.jpg|center|550px]]

Tips

 * When offering choices, try to keep it to two things so that your child doesn't become frustrated or overstimulated.
 * Eliminate distractions, such as the TV, radio, and computer, when your child needs to focus on a task.
 * When creating goals with your child, focus on baby steps instead of trying to achieve a big goal all at once.
 * Encourage their dreams, but remind them to be realistic.
 * Since many preschool children exhibit ADHD symptoms, it is difficult to diagnose ADHD in children under the age of five.

Warnings

 * Avoid yelling or spanking when disciplining your ADHD child.

Related wikiHows

 * How to Deal With ADHD Kids
 * How to Discipline a Child With ADHD
 * How to Help Children With ADHD
 * How to Help an ADHD Child Learn to Spell