Here are 18 suggestions from a book by Dr. Domeena Renshaw titled The Hyperactive Child. Though her book is now out of print, Dr. Renshaw's advice is still valid:
- Be consistent in rules and discipline.
- Keep your own voice quiet and slow. Anger is normal. Anger can be controlled. Anger does not mean you do not love a child.
- Try hard to keep your emotions cool by bracing for expected turmoil. Recognize and respond to any positive behavior, however small. If you search for good things, you will find a few.
- Avoid a ceaselessly negative approach: "Stop" - "Don't" - "No."
- Separate behavior, which you may not like, from the child's person, which you like, e.g., "I like you. I don't like your tracking mud through the house."
- Have a very clear routine for this child. Construct a timetable for waking, eating, play, TV, study, chores, and bedtime. Follow it flexibly when he disrupts it. Slowly your structure will reassure him until he develops his own. Teaching Children With ADHD Instructional Strategies And Practices
- Demonstrate new or difficult tasks, using action accompanied by short, clear, quiet explanations. Repeat the demonstration until learned. This uses audiovisual-sensory perceptions to reinforce the learning. The memory traces of a hyperactive child take longer to form. Be patient and repeat.
- Designate a separate room or a part of a room that is his own special area. Avoid brilliant colors or complex patterns in decor. Simplicity, solid colors, minimal clutter, and a worktable facing a blank wall away from distractions assist concentration. A hyperactive child cannot filter out overstimulation himself yet.
- Do one thing at a time: Give him one toy from a closed box; clear the table of everything else when coloring; turn off the radio/TV when he is doing homework. Multiple stimuli prevent his concentration from focusing on his primary task.
- Give him responsibility, which is essential for growth. The task should be within his capacity, although the assignment may need much supervision. Acceptance and recognition of his efforts (even when imperfect) should not be forgotten.
- Read his pre-explosive warning signals. Quietly intervene to avoid explosions by distracting him or discussing the conflict calmly. Removal from the battle zone to the sanctuary of his room for a few minutes is useful.
- Restrict playmates to one or at most two at one time, because he is so excitable. Your home is more suitable, so you can provide structure and supervision. Explain your rules to the playmate and briefly tell the other parent your reasons.
- Do not pity, tease, be frightened by, or overindulge this child. He has a special condition of the nervous system that is manageable.
- Know the name and dose of his medication. Give it regularly. Watch and remember the effects to report back to your physician.
- Openly discuss with your physician any fears you have about the use of medications.
- Lock up all medications to avoid accidental misuse.
- Always supervise the taking of medication, even if it is routine over a long period of years. Responsibility remains with the parents! One day's supply at a time can be put in a regular place and checked routinely as your child becomes self-reliant enough to take his own medications.
- Share your successful "helps" with his teacher. The outlined ways to help your hyperactive child are as important to him as diet and insulin are to a diabetic child. Teaching Children With ADHD Instructional Strategies And Practices
Children with ADHD, however, have many other problems with which to deal. For example, compared to parents of children without ADHD, parents of kids with ADHD reported that their children were nearly three times more likely to have difficulty getting along with other kids in the neighborhood. Plus, the kids with ADHD were more than twice as likely to be picked on and less likely to have many good friends.
ADHD clearly also affects how children get along with friends and family, complete homework assignments and chores, and participate in after-school activities. Experts recommend a number of tips to help parents and children deal with the day-to-day problems that arise with living with ADHD:
Work with your child to create a plan.
Be aware of how ADHD can affect your child's life. Target each event - homework, fun, and family - then work with him or her to stay on track.
Maintain a regular schedule.
Work with your child to follow a consistent plan at home, in school, after school, and on weekends.
Build a support team that includes parents, teachers, instructors, youth pastors, and coaches.
Talk with them about how ADHD affects your child's life. Discuss successes and work together on the challenges. Teaching Children With ADHD Instructional Strategies And Practices
Encourage participation in after-school activities.
Look for structured activities that use energy constructively and build social skills to bring success in and out of school.
Manage ADHD for the long-term.
Work with your doctor to develop a total treatment program, which may include long-acting medication that doesn't require frequent doses. To help your child stay focused all day, use techniques to help him modify his behavior.
Ease the strain of ADHD.
Keep routines fun and take breaks when times get tough to help relieve the stress of ADHD.
Recognize EVERY win.
Review your child's progress regularly and celebrate accomplishments, small and large.
Use available resources.
Take time to teach your child how to use calendars, organizers, and written reminders to help him or her stay focused all through the day.
Evaluate your child's personal strengths and weaknesses.
Managing ADHD requires discipline, a positive attitude, and good planning skills.
Understand the challenges of ADHD.
Know that ADHD is a medical problem that makes it more difficult to control behavior and attention.
Hope these 18 suggestions can help you in handling your kids. To learn more, you can get Teaching Children With ADHD Instructional Strategies And Practices.
