Parenting Kids with ADHD

Being a parent is a challenge in so many ways, and parenting kids with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) brings some unique challenges. Some days will be frustrating, and other days will be amazing. Your perspective on your child’s ADHD is going to be a crucial factor in helping him or her successfully navigate life.

Kids with ADHD may do the following things:

• Forget to clean things up.
• Forget assignments at school.
• Interrupt or tell rambling stories.
• Constantly fidget while seated .
• Get up from a desk or table in the middle of projects.
• Hyperfocus on certain topics.
• Be distracted with things they don’t find interesting.

Ways to Set Up Your Child for Success

As a parent you want your child to be successful at home and in school. Let’s talk about ways that you can set your kid up for success.

Celebrate.

Your child has a superpower. If they love something they will hyperfocus by learning information and absorbing details most people miss. Finding the things that your child does well is going to help you focus not only on the positive side but can also be used to motivate him or her to get through more difficult subjects and tasks.

Try to avoid the word “disorder” with your child. Kids with ADHD have a brain that is wired differently from other kids, but they are no less intelligent and capable. Focus on things they do well as often as you can.

Is your child a whiz at card games? Promise game time after dinner regularly. Is he or she loving deep-sea toys or shows? Take him or her to the library to find books on the subject. Finding ways to celebrate the positive parts of kids with ADHD will build self-esteem in them, which goes a long way to successfully navigating the harder parts.

Advocate.

Kids with ADHD will have a difficult time communicating what they struggle with and what their needs are. Research shows that girls with ADHD are particularly good at “masking” their ADHD. They learn to hide the parts of themselves that seem undesirable in the home or the classroom.

As a parent, you need to advocate for your child. Ask for help from doctors, counselors, and therapists to give them tools, rather than force him or her to cope. By spending time with your child, you learn his or her strengths and struggles. Talk to teachers about IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) for kids with ADHD to do more than just survive. Advocating for your child is creating strategies for meeting the criteria in a way that works for everyone involved.

Kids with ADHD find it difficult to regulate their emotions. Having ADHD may make it more challenging to identify the emotions themselves. You can help them understand that sometimes they are acting wild because they are tired. They are yelling because they are hungry. Help them recognize the feelings behind certain behaviors.

Provide a calm space 

This is not about being quiet, but rather finding an outlet for the hyperactive component. Some options to consider:

• Martial arts.
• Gymnastics.
• Swimming lessons.
• Team sports.

This may or may not look like organized sports and classes. Some children do well with the structure set out by a martial arts dojo, gymnastics instructor, or team coach. Others may just need time to move their bodies. Go to the playground daily, spend time in the yard, and consider getting age-appropriate gym equipment for your child.

For some children, hyperactivity is more about making noise. Learning to play an instrument could be a good fit. Research options in your area for kids’ music programs that expose them to different options.

In addition to providing a calm space that is an energy outlet, it is also important to provide spaces to practice having a calmer body and mind. You might be able to try a few minutes every day of listening to white or brown noise, which is helpful in soothing people with ADHD. Sitting with your child and letting them talk about their favorite subject can also provide a calm space. Some children benefit from having a pet with whom they can play and cuddle.

How a counselor can help kids with ADHD

Counselors may offer behavioral therapy and play therapy. The counselor’s goal is to help your child both meet their needs and the expectations of particular environments. From keeping things organized to paying attention to parents and teachers, counselors can you find strategies that work best for your child’s needs. Call today to set up an appointment.