Parenting Tricks
& Tips (Strategies).
Fundamentally, parents can find that much more time/effort has to be invested in raising
children with ADHD. Children with ADHD may benefit from additional supports/training to enable them to cope better. Here are a few tricks and tips assembled from various sources. These are by no means applicable to, or useful for all
children with ADHD.
Transitioning
Children with ADHD have a difficult time adjusting to changes whether they be immediate requests or longer term ones. The use of warning children of upcoming changes (i.e.: we are leaving in 5 minutes) can lessen the impact of the change.
Rules - Rewards/Consequences
The simple act of outlining house rules complete with punishments is the first step in defining behaviours.
time-outs
These are probably the most widely used form of intervention. These have two benefits: removal of the child from the situation and time for contemplation/learning.
Removal of Privileges
These should be defined by the parents and identified to the child
Physical Violence (washing mouth with soap, spankings etc.)
Any form of physical violence against children is extremely discouraged and generally only reinforces negative behaviour to re-focus the child on to something else.
Planned Ignoring
The act of ignoring (but letting the child know that you are deliberately doing it) a child's
wants/behaviours when they are inappropriate. This probably should not be used too regularly as it may adversely affect the child's self-esteem.
Advocacy - Education
The parent can become an advocate on behalf of their children. Parents and professionals alike can pass on information to relatives, teachers and peers to ensure the child's needs are met. This may include teaching people about ADHD.
praise
This is a very simple but effective method of highlighting things that the child is doing correctly and may include rewards/prizes.
Medication
Many people often assume that medicating a child is wrong/bad. This may come from the thought that children are being given tranquillisers to slow them down, when, in fact, in most cases the children are being given stimulants. Parents can feel some anxiety about medication being given to their child. It is important for them to discuss this fully with their consultant and to ask questions about anything they are unsure of.
