| Structure | | | | things in 15 increments works well. |
| Yes, I know we all hate structure. If the world was | | | | Good Nutrition |
| perfect place we would not need it. It may be one of | | | | Eat more fruits and vegetables and drink water. Stay |
| the most important things to help us survive in this | | | | away from processed foods. Try to eat some protein |
| non-ADD world. We also need the correct amount of | | | | for breakfast. Stay away from things like "poptarts". I'm |
| structure in our lives. Too much makes us rebel or feel | | | | not trying to say that poor nutrition causes ADD. |
| trapped. When we don't have enough structure we | | | | However, good nutrition can help with many negative |
| lose track of the world around us. | | | | ADD behaviors. Processed foods aren't good for |
| A schedule works well for both children and adults | | | | anybody ADD or no ADD. |
| with ADD. Make a plan for each day. Make sure you | | | | Exercise |
| give yourself or child "free time" or "self time" in that | | | | Daily exercise is a good idea for everybody. It helps |
| schedule. Children need at least an hour a day of | | | | both children and adults who have ADD. |
| uninterrupted play. I think adults need about the same | | | | Turn it Off!!!! |
| amount of time to daydream, meditate, or just do | | | | Turn off the TV, video games, computer, etc. No, I am |
| nothing. | | | | not saying these things cause ADD, but too much |
| Positive Reinforcement | | | | does not help it either. |
| This is one thing that everybody needs more of not | | | | Research and Education |
| just ADD people. Children and adults respond better to | | | | Do a lot of your own research about ADD. Don't think |
| positive reinforcement than they do to punishment. Try | | | | of the doctors as GOD. There are many great |
| to take the words DON'T, CAN'T and NEED out of | | | | resources about ADD. Find as much information and |
| your vocabulary. If your child is running through the | | | | then make your own decision about ADD. |
| house tell him or her to walk instead of "not" to run. | | | | Ask for Help and Support |
| Try to find the positive things that your child does. | | | | Many People with Attention Deficit Disorders have |
| Make sure each day that the positive things you say | | | | trouble asking for help. Sometimes we are too |
| out weigh the negative. Adults can do the same thing | | | | embarrassed or we don't even realize we need help. |
| for themselves. Instead looking at all the things you | | | | Asking for help with little things may stop them from |
| haven't done make a list of ALL the things you have | | | | becoming HUGE problems. |
| done. This may be hard at first but it will start to | | | | Be Consistent! |
| become a lot easier. | | | | You must be consistent! Even the best of advice |
| Break Things Down | | | | won't work unless you do it on a regular basis. We all |
| Quite often people with ADD get overwhelmed with | | | | know that once we stop doing something it can be |
| tasks and projects. Try to break things down into | | | | very hard to start up again. Children especially need |
| smaller parts. Breaking down the time spent on a task | | | | consistency in their lives. Things get easier once they |
| can also be helpful. Many people with ADD find doing | | | | are done regularly. |