ADHD can affect a child’s ability to succeed in school, play, and social situations, making it a challenge for the coming future. Families can learn some common signs and explore essential medication-free cognitive hacks that help their children unleash their full potential.
Understanding How ADHD Works
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulty sustaining attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. In affected children and adults, the prefrontal cortex develops later, directly impacting cognitive functions like impulse control, decision-making, emotional regulation, and more. Not only can it make success in work, school, or social situations more difficult, it can also significantly hurt their self-esteem.
Common Signs of ADHD in Children and Adults
While this list is not exhaustive, if your child deals with one or more of these symptoms, you may find that some of the neurohacking methods below can help.
- Difficulty sustaining attention during tasks
- Excessive fidgeting
- Difficulty making and keeping friends
- Falling behind academically
- Waiting until the last minute to complete projects
- Difficulty waiting their turn
- Social difficulties
Have you noticed any of the above symptoms in your child? Our transformative brain program can help. Contact Abbey Neuropsychology Clinic today for a free discovery call and see how we can support your child’s journey.
8 Brain Enhancement Techniques That Set Your Child Up for Success
For many children and adults, ADHD is treated with medication that addresses the symptoms—not the root causes—of their neurodevelopmental issues. It improves their ability to regulate attention for some time, but once it wears off, the symptoms arise again. These brain hacking techniques and strategies will help you understand your child better and give them the tools they need to succeed in their daily lives.
Understand Your Child’s Love Language
One of the best ways to help your child succeed is to understand how they want to express and receive love. You may have heard of the five love languages: quality time, physical touch, words of affirmation, acts of service, and gifts.
Understanding how your child relates to these allows you to create an environment of support and encouragement, lifting their self-esteem and empowering them to succeed. For example, your child may respond more positively to a high-five or pat on the back (physical touch) than a token of encouragement like a piece of candy (gifts). Every child’s brain is different—as a parent, you need to take the time to learn how your child operates at their core.
Identify Triggers and Work to Avoid Them
There are a number of ADHD triggers that can disrupt their day and make it difficult for them to regulate attention, activity, or impulse control. In some cases, they can even cause meltdowns. Here are a few examples:
- Stress
- Fatigue
- Hunger
- Sensory overload
- Frustration
Understanding how your child reacts to certain situations allows you to avoid significant disruptions in the first place. For example, if you know that bright lights easily overstimulate your child, you might avoid taking them to arcades or movie theaters. Or, if your child is triggered by being hungry, you might consider keeping healthy snacks on you or keeping their backpack stocked.
Follow a Routine
Because people with ADHD struggle to regulate their attention and impulse control, they thrive on consistency. Predictability in their daily schedule creates a calming, structured environment. For this brain hacking technique, try to establish a consistent day-to-day routine that includes waking up, meal times, school, play, relaxation, and bedtime. Keep in mind your child’s love languages and triggers and establish a routine that sets them up for success. Also, make sure you go over this routine with your child regularly—keeping them informed allows you to set expectations for their behavior.
Set Expectations and Stick With Them
Make sure your child knows what is expected of them in school, out and about, and in social settings. For example, if you and your child are going to the grocery store, set up some ground rules for them before they enter this overstimulating environment. You can tell them they need to have good manners, that running isn’t allowed, or that you won’t be purchasing any toys for them. Setting expectations is a brain hacking method that allows you to navigate overwhelming environments positively.
Physical Exercise
The body and brain are intrinsically linked, and regular physical exercise can improve your child’s ability to focus, reduce stress, lift their mood, and help them stay calm throughout the day. Try to engage in active play with your child for at least an hour each day, or encourage them to go outside and run around. They’ll have plenty of fun, and you’ll start to notice the differences in your child immediately.
Make Sure Your Child Gets Enough Sleep
Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is essential for your child’s mental development. When they get enough sleep on a regular basis, they’re able to dip into REM sleep more frequently. This type of sleep is essential for brain functions like working memory, learning, processing speed, and creativity. Adequate sleep is also great for mental health and avoiding cognitive decline later in life.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Making sure your child gets the vitamins and nutrients they need is essential for brain hacking ADHD at its core. Proper hydration improves memory, mood, and attention. In addition, there are a number of dietary strategies that aid in managing ADHD:
- Protein: Getting enough protein can prevent spikes in blood sugar, which cause hyperactivity.
- Omega-3s: Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help children dealing with hyperactivity, impulsivity, and concentration. Incorporate plenty of fish, nuts, and plant oils into your child’s diet.
- Iron: Children with ADHD tend to have lower iron levels than those without. Make sure your child eats iron-rich foods like turkey, beans, and lean red meat.
- Zinc: Zinc helps your body regulate dopamine levels, which are essential in managing attention and impulse control.
- Magnesium: Magnesium can have calming effects, and research suggests it also aids in producing neurotransmitters related to attention and concentration.
Engage in Brain Exercises
One of the best brain hacking techniques is to address the developmentally delayed areas of the brain directly. Leaders in treating ADHD, like Abbey Neuropsychology Clinic, use comprehensive brain training programs to look at how the brain works at its core and identify areas that cause ADHD symptoms. With this information, it’s possible to develop a customized program that can improve the symptoms of ADHD and change your child’s life. These programs can include techniques like neurofeedback, executive function training, psychotherapy, and more.
Partner With Abbey Neuropsychology Clinic Today
At Abbey Neuropsychology Clinic, we’re committed to using medication-free treatments to reverse ADHD in children and adults. Our transformative brain program is tailored to your child’s unique needs and gives them the ability to succeed in school, work, play, and more.
Get in touch today for a free discovery call and see how we can help you be a hero for your child!
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