7 Behavior Management Tips about ADHD – ADD
Parenting any kid can be a difficult task. It makes your life even more miserable if you have a kid with ADHD – ADD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – attention deficit disorder). What should you do with a kid who has these issues? First of all, these kids need more involvement, patience, and understanding from their parents. Second, you need to take a deep breath and know that there is work ahead! Never worry, though, because the following tip you life can become much eaiser.
1. Set Up Rules Of The House
Kids with ADHD-ADD do best with consistent and clear expectations. Make sure you talk with your kid about your house rules. Come up with the consequences for negative behaviors together. Reward good behaviors while having consequences for negative behaviors. More about behavior therapies here.
2. Organize Your Home
Many parents often face challenges from attention deficit disorder kids because their homes are disorganized. It is helpful to remove any unused objects since these kids often like disorganizing these kind of items. Get storage boxes or other organizing containers for anything you do keep. Make sure you clean out all drawers. Make it clear to your child that when anything is used, it must be put back where it belongs. This will help teach your ADHD-ADD child responsibility.
3. Set Up a Daily Schedule
ADD and ADHD kids respond very well to routine. A daily schedule will help them define their day while providing the parents with a sense of predictability.
4. Reward Effort
Sometimes tasks that look simple to us may be very difficult for a kid with ADD and ADHD symptoms. Make sure you reward effort and hard work instead of only focusing on results. For example, your kid may have worked extremely hard studying for an English test, but their grade may not reflect this effort. It is important to reinforce the value of effort as well as reward progress.
5. Catch Your Kid Being Good
Most parents with ADHD and ADD kids often get too caught up on negative behaviors to the point that they forget to praise and/or reward positive behaviors. For instance, whenever you notice that your kid put up their school backpack in the proper place at the end of the school day, make sure you let your kid know you have noticed it by saying “I really like what you have done by putting your bag in the right place. Good job!” This will motivate your child to to do better things and behaving better.
6. Focus On Strengths
All ADHD – ADD kids have unique gifts. Make sure you focus on positive behavior while working on the negative ones. Focus on your kid’s strengths and offer them the best opportunities to succeed. You will aid build your child’s confidence and self-esteem while managing their behavior.
7. Get Support
You are never alone! There are many parents out there who have the same problems. Discuss your challenges in online forums on the best behavior management procedure to implement to help. What is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder? Go here.
I believe with the above 7 ADHD – ADD Behavior Management techniques and tips, you will not only be a happier parent but also have a happier kid.