Helping a Child Cope with ADHD

Easy Methods that will Get Him to Concentrate Better

May 3, 2009

Helping a Child Cope with ADHD, MorgueFile/Free Photo

One of the most challenging tasks when parenting a son or daughter with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is making the child do what is asked.

Regular routines, like preparing for school or bedtime getting homework completed, may turn into at-home battlefields. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder signs and symptoms—impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity—are impediments to acknowledging and abiding by instructions.

Unless the patient figures out how to defeat or adjust his or her symptoms, he or she could fail to acquire the skills needed for success. Luckily, you will be able to help.

Key Notes for ADHD in Children

The child isn't purposely neglecting, defying, or disobeying the instructions. He or she is not lazy or dumb. Moreover, unplanned shifts in everyday routines are disturbing for a young patient with ADHD.

Get rid of as many distractions as you can from the child's environment when he or she is performing a chore.

As parents realize that the symptoms associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder hinder the child's ability to pay attention to directions and finishing things, they can treat their child's demeanor much better.

Individuals with ADHD have a few predictable characteristics: They respond to innovation, concentrate on the present, and try to be physically active. Parents or guardians who are tolerant, patient, and imaginative can help their youngster pay attention and finish activities.

If parents don't make the child find out how to deal with the signs and symptoms of ADHD:

The young patient's school grades can go bad if homework isn't done.
The household may be affected.
The patient's self-respect can suffer.
The patient may not acquire organizational techniques to help him or her become more productive in life.

Using Innovative Ideas for Children with ADHD

Children with ADHD answer to innovation. They're constantly pulled in by new occurrences and voices, but they're incapable of sorting through which ones are most significant. A person can make the best of this characteristic by listening to these tips:

Utilize colorful reminders. Keep brief notes on colored paper in various regions of the house to cue the patient about a job. For instance, you can keep a yellow note in the child's study spot that states “Take a break, relax, and think.”
Construct a list of the child's everyday obligations. Periodically tell the child to view the list. Have the child mark off the things as they are finished. Go over the list with the child and congratulate him or her for achievements even if all the activities were not done according to your criteria.

Make hands-on learning activities to make a young patient with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder hold onto an idea. For instance, as the child is reading about volcanoes, tell him or her build a miniature volcano and mark the parts. Discuss why volcanoes ignite and what takes place.
Try images. Because the majority of individuals with ADHD are visual learners, they absorb information better when the textbook has dozens of figures. Teach the child to use the images to learn ideas or to relate to essential knowledge.

You can also buy a computer or other teaching aide to manage homework or search information pertaining to projects. A few computer learning games may help the young patient acquire skills more efficiently than written data. However, try to restrict the amount of time the patient passes on computer (PC) video games.