6 Top Tips for Keeping Your Child on Track Despite ADHD

Many parents of children who have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) have a number of common issues that give them a great deal of difficulty. If you’ve ever found yourself saying or thinking the following, then you are not alone:

“I know it’s the ADHD that causes him to do these things and that it’s not his fault, but I’m at the end of my patience. How can I help my son to behave better?”

“How is my child ever going to succeed in life like other children?”

It is easy to feel guilt over thinking these things, but if these ring are true for you, it is important to take steps so that you and the other members of your family do not feel overwhelmed.

Fortunately, we are learning more and more about ADHD every day, what works for children (and adults) with this condition, and what doesn’t.

Here are a few suggestions as to several tried and tested ways to improve the quality of life for your child with ADHD and your whole family.

1-Be firm and consistent.
Rules and guidelines are particularly important to a child with ADHD. It helps them understand what you (and other adults) expect and helps reduce stress. Do not give them a ‘free pass’ in terms of disruptive behavior. Pick your battles, however. Don’t punish them for the things they can’t do. Reward them for the things they can.

2-Use pictures as visual reminders to help improve memory.
You can create a chore chart out of pictures cut out of magazines or images from the Internet/clip art to help keep your child on task.

3-Stick to a set schedule.
Post your schedule where everyone can see it. Make it visual with images or clip art as above.

4-Help your child to stay organized by making lists.
With the help of a computer, make a list of all the things they need for their school day, such as a school bag, gym kit, shoes, toys and clothing. Read off the checklist and have them identify each item and put it in their bag. You can also make a game of it and reward them for a job well done.

5-Give simple and clear instructions.
Keep things brief and clear. If you want them to perform a large task, like cleaning their room, consider breaking it up into sections, such as one corner of the room at a time.

6-Minimize disruptions, or prepare for them.
Try to keep to a set schedule and your lives on an even keel. If there are big events coming up in the house, like the holidays or a vacation or trip to see relatives, lead up to the even gradually and try to do the same things that you do at home with them when they are away, such as bring some standard books and toys and continue their rewards system. The unexpected can be fun and exciting, but it can also cause your child with ADHD to behave impulsively or inappropriately and be extremely disruptive.

These are just a few of the ways that a child with ADHD can stay on task and not be disruptive. Try these techniques and see what works best for your child.