Parenting can be challenging. You have to find a style that not only fits your personality but also fits the personality of, and adequately addresses the challenges, your kid presents. Throwing in a neurological disorder such as ADHD, which most often affects personality, can be tricky.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be a common diagnosis in children, but that does not mean it is easy to readapt your parenting style to fit the needs of your kids.Children with ADHD have brains that are functionally different from other kids, so it is crucial to learn how to modify your behavior to help them grow and develop.

ADHD has the common symptoms of being inattentive, not listening when spoken to, forgetting to complete tasks, and being unable to sit still. These qualities can make it hard to have your kids do what you want, and at times it may be challenging to know how to help your kids handle this disability, especially if you do not understand it.

Below are some parenting tips for parent of children with ADHD that can help both you and your child.

Break Tasks into Smaller Pieces

Some children with ADHD may have difficulty following instructions, especially if the instructions are multiple steps. To help them succeed, it may be helpful to break all tasks into smaller pieces so that they can take everything one step at a time.

Create a Structure

A structured schedule that follows the same routine every day can benefit those with ADHD, as they know what to expect and what is expected of them.

Manage Aggression

Aggressive outbursts are common in those with ADHD. Instead of reacting with anger, teach your child how to use a “time out” as a chance for both you and your child to calm down. You can also teach them some tools to use to calm down when they act out.

While it is often best to ignore mildly disruptive behaviors, it’s crucial to always reprimand any abusive, destructive, or intentionally disruptive behaviors so that your child understands what behavior is expected and tolerated. It’s also best to set firm rules and stick with them, so that your child understands what happens if they have an aggressive outburst.

Encourage Exercise

Some children with ADHD have an abundance of pent-up energy, manifesting as disruptive behavior. By encouraging them to exercise, they can use up their energy in a healthy way.

Get Educated

There are many myths out there surrounding ADHD, such as that every child with ADHD cannot sit still. ADHD looks different for every single person with it, so it is best to find out how ADHD impacts your child in particular.

The best way to do this is through a neuropsychological evaluation. Not only can this assessment help diagnose your child with ADHD, but it can also determine their strengths and weaknesses, which can help you learn how best to adapt your parenting style. For example, if your child is not good at focusing, breaking tasks into smaller pieces may be better. For children that tend to interrupt, you may have to go over strategies that they can implement to control these urges.

If you are interested in learning more about ADHD or scheduling a neuropsychological assessment, call Abbey Neuropsychology Clinic for more information.

Sources

[1] https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/parenting-tips

[2] https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/adhd.html