| ADHD or ADD is a neurobehavioral disorder that | | | | complicates matters is a terrible short-term memory. |
| affects your child's day-to-day performance and | | | | Misplacing and forgetting important documents or |
| activities. It causes the brain to process information and | | | | books is commonplace for ADHD sufferers. Get your |
| external stimulus in a different way to other people. | | | | child in the habit of packing their school bag the night |
| Children with ADHD have minds that churn with a | | | | before class and double-checking the contents. |
| kaleidoscope of thoughts, images and sounds, which | | | | - Paying attention is another major issue for your child. |
| distract them and make it impossible to focus. | | | | Many ADD children are so lost in their own minds that |
| Common symptoms seen in ADHD are: | | | | they do not notice when someone is speaking to them. |
| - Inattention | | | | They may even look directly at you but not hear one |
| - Distractibility | | | | word. |
| - Hyperactivity | | | | To ensure you have your child's undivided attention |
| - Impulsivity | | | | stand directly in front of your child, make eye contact |
| What Does This Mean For Your Child? | | | | and have them repeat what you have said. Keep your |
| Children who have been diagnosed with ADHD can | | | | directions clear and concise. |
| grow up to be highly successful adults if given the right | | | | - Acting on impulse is of major concern for parents |
| encouragement, positive reinforcement and behavioral | | | | with an ADD child. This is one of the most difficult |
| training. Your child needs to learn strategic coping | | | | behavioral issues and the one that causes the most |
| mechanisms and have an understanding about how | | | | problems. Consistency and positive reinforcement for |
| their brain functions so that they can excel in school, in | | | | good choices is paramount for your child's well being. |
| the workplace and in personal relationships. | | | | - Hyperactivity will cause your child to run when they |
| If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD the first | | | | should walk and fidget when they are supposed to be |
| thing you need to do is to forget about standard | | | | still. ADHD children cannot be still. Allow them the |
| parenting advice. ADHD children have unique needs | | | | freedom to move and organize high-energy games to |
| and require creative parenting techniques in order to | | | | channel their restlessness in a constructive manner. |
| thrive. | | | | - Compliance to rules and schedules is another difficult |
| Given the extreme distractibility of ADHD there are | | | | thing for your child. This is not because they want to |
| many seemingly simple tasks that will be very difficult | | | | rebel or act out, it is because they live in the moment |
| for your child to accomplish. | | | | and have no concept of consequences. You need to |
| - Time management is non-existent for ADD children | | | | give immediate feedback on behavior if you wish for it |
| and mornings are particularly difficult. Give your child | | | | to change. Giving rewards for compliance will also help |
| only a couple of tasks to do such as: brush teeth, get | | | | to reinforce good behavior and boost your child's self |
| dressed and eat breakfast. Always give them 5-10 | | | | esteem. |
| minute warnings when you are getting ready to go. | | | | Children with ADHD require more positive |
| Reward your child whenever they are on time. | | | | reinforcements and reward based behavioral training |
| - Organization causes a lot of distress for most | | | | than others. Depression and low self-esteem can |
| children with ADHD. This is because they try to be | | | | manifest if your child is left to cope with the symptoms |
| good and have everything in order but to start and | | | | of ADD on their own. |
| finish a task is overwhelming for them. What also | | | | |