How Can I Help My Child? So your child has been diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). As a parent, you probably have various questions running through your head: What does that mean? How will this impact my child? How do I best support my child at home, at school, in life? Research shows that parents who provide unconditional support (who are always in their child’s corner) can help their child grow into a well- balanced child, behaviorally and emotionally. BUT, how does a parent achieve that in the face of daily meltdowns and academic and organization challenges? Stay Calm – Sometimes, it is hard not to react to your child, especially when they are consistently scrambling to get ready for school and never seem to be ready on time. Do your best to serve as an external means of self-regulation. In other words, model the emotional calmness you want to see. Try your best to not react to any blip or snarky response they give you. If you keep calm, this will help your child be better able to organize their thoughts and not have a meltdown. Remember what you both are working towards, even if they forget: a well-balanced child, behaviorally and emotionally Mantra and Routine Pairing – ADHD brains thrive on repetition and pattern recognition. Creating a short, structured mantra like “Key near the door, not on the floor” or “Put books in the bag so there won’t be a lag” and attaching it to a routine strengthens follow-through and aids memory (an area greatly impacted by ADHD). Designated Task Areas and Timers – Identifying a specific area for schoolwork and other tasks helps minimize distractions and timed reminders reinforce deadlines, helping your child transition from task completion to submission. Also designate specific areas to place specific items consistently. Once you determine where an item belongs, consider that location to be the item’s “home.” Break Down Tasks into Smaller Goals – Help your child set small, easy-to-achieve goals so they can check them off their list. Breaking down tasks into smaller goals makes larger tasks feel more manageable and will make it less likely your child will get overwhelmed. Self-Care and Support – It is easy as parents to forget about or not prioritize yourself, especially when you have a challenging child with several needs. Part of helping your child is making sure you are at your best and taking care of your own needs. Whether it is a friend, support group, or therapist, make sure you have someone you can reach out to when you are feeling stressed out and having trouble managing your own frustrations. Also make sure that you are taking care of yourself: make sure you get enough sleep, regular exercise, and nutritional meals. Do self care, like going out to eat with a friend or taking a long bubble bath.
Tips & Tricks For Parents Of Children Diagnosed With ADHD
