Living and Coping with ADHD
by Boone Swann on 2007-09-23
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that can greatly affect a child’s behavior. This disorder can make it difficult for the child to concentrate for long enough to complete a task or to follow simple directions. ADHD can be controlled with medication and behavior therapy. Changes in lifestyle can also make a difference to the child’s condition and behavior.
You can help your child cope with this disorder in a variety of ways:
• Try to get your child to adhere to a regular activity schedule. As a parent, keep a set schedule for such things as waking up, going to bed, having playtime, when homework should be done, and the times of daily meals.
• It’s important that your child also acknowledges the house rules and what happens when these rules aren’t followed. It may help to have the child write down these rules.
• Always make it a point to reinforce positive behavior by offering true praise. Think about initiating a rewards system.
• Be sure to give instructions slowly and clearly and make the details simple. Have the child repeat back the instructions you’ve just given.
• Supervise your ADHD child, especially at playtime with friends, and keep an eye on his or her behavior. Again, it’s very important to give praise where praise is due.
Remember that part of raising a child with this disorder is realizing that his or her inability to listen to what you say is going to be the biggest problem. Many of the things that other families take for granted will become much harder for your family to deal with. Trying to get your son or daughter to do homework or go to bed on time will become the cause of frustration and anger on all sides.
It’s important to remember that your child isn’t doing any of these things intentionally. Your child isn’t dumb, lazy, or trying to get you upset. Small, unexpected changes in daily routines are always upsetting to children with ADHD. If you want your child to have a better chance at focusing on a particular task, try to remove as many distractions as possible from his or her surroundings. When you provide a child with ADHD with a weekly schedule of events, you can take away many of the problems associated with trying to make these sorts of decisions themselves.
For adults living with ADHD, some of the frightening aspects of the disorder become easier to understand. Many adults learn to adapt to the symptoms of the disorder and lead productive and relatively normal lives. People suffering from ADHD aren’t prone to being unfocused on everything in their lives; only on some things that they need to focus more on. Acceptance and understanding by those around them can do a lot to help people suffering from ADHD to better control this disorder. Those people who work in office settings will most likely find it harder to control their ADHD, because most of their day will be spent working at jobs that require a lot of sitting still. Listening to some calming music will help you to focus, as it will keep your mind busy. Keeping an uncluttered desk will also help you to pay attention to what you’re working on. Having a schedule for the day can help you focus more on the things that need to be done and in what order.
You can help your child cope with this disorder in a variety of ways:
• Try to get your child to adhere to a regular activity schedule. As a parent, keep a set schedule for such things as waking up, going to bed, having playtime, when homework should be done, and the times of daily meals.
• It’s important that your child also acknowledges the house rules and what happens when these rules aren’t followed. It may help to have the child write down these rules.
• Always make it a point to reinforce positive behavior by offering true praise. Think about initiating a rewards system.
• Be sure to give instructions slowly and clearly and make the details simple. Have the child repeat back the instructions you’ve just given.
• Supervise your ADHD child, especially at playtime with friends, and keep an eye on his or her behavior. Again, it’s very important to give praise where praise is due.
Remember that part of raising a child with this disorder is realizing that his or her inability to listen to what you say is going to be the biggest problem. Many of the things that other families take for granted will become much harder for your family to deal with. Trying to get your son or daughter to do homework or go to bed on time will become the cause of frustration and anger on all sides.
It’s important to remember that your child isn’t doing any of these things intentionally. Your child isn’t dumb, lazy, or trying to get you upset. Small, unexpected changes in daily routines are always upsetting to children with ADHD. If you want your child to have a better chance at focusing on a particular task, try to remove as many distractions as possible from his or her surroundings. When you provide a child with ADHD with a weekly schedule of events, you can take away many of the problems associated with trying to make these sorts of decisions themselves.
For adults living with ADHD, some of the frightening aspects of the disorder become easier to understand. Many adults learn to adapt to the symptoms of the disorder and lead productive and relatively normal lives. People suffering from ADHD aren’t prone to being unfocused on everything in their lives; only on some things that they need to focus more on. Acceptance and understanding by those around them can do a lot to help people suffering from ADHD to better control this disorder. Those people who work in office settings will most likely find it harder to control their ADHD, because most of their day will be spent working at jobs that require a lot of sitting still. Listening to some calming music will help you to focus, as it will keep your mind busy. Keeping an uncluttered desk will also help you to pay attention to what you’re working on. Having a schedule for the day can help you focus more on the things that need to be done and in what order.
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