ADHD Parental Help: 3 Things To Consider

Bringing up someone with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD can be difficult, and normal rule-making and household routines can be almost impossible. Because of ADHD, a child could have poor control of impulses, leading to problematic or inappropriate behavior. If you ever feel that you’re tackling it alone, just know that around the globe, ADHD is the third most common mental health issue in children, according to The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

As ADHD brings its own challenges, parents must be aware that one crucial step to take is to accept that ADHD is a representation of the functional differences in the child’s brain. It doesn’t conclude that the child doesn’t understand what is wrong or right, but that alternative ways in helping a child to create positive behavior are needed. 

Likewise, if you’re looking for some actionable tips on parenting a kid with ADHD together with a free bonus session on making your child succeed at school, you can check this ADHD parental help masterclass.

All in all, if ever you have a kid with ADHD, there are many ADHD parental help tips that you can apply to give you peace of mind and make your life and that of your child happier. So, here are three things to consider when your child has ADHD.

1. Provide Structure

Create a routine for your child with which he could stick to regularly. This routine creates a structure and can have many advantages. First, having a routine and schedule may help reduce sudden distractions which children with ADHD often experience. Second, it can also bring about calmness to them, knowing what to expect within the day. Third, it can help them develop responsibility by doing what should be done at the moment.

There are ways to create a routine in a child’s daily life. You can use clocks and timers as a source of reminders for him. You can also encourage the use of daily planners for him to become aware of all his homework assignments. You can also help him establish rituals around meals, bedtime, playtime, and homework. Simple tasks such as brushing one’s teeth after eating and fixing the bed are examples of such rituals that can become good in creating structure within their lives. Overall, you should avoid being a perfectionist when creating a schedule, and you should forgive yourself and especially your kid for some lapses.

2. Help Them Have Regular Sleeping Patterns

Sleeping at night can be challenging for children with ADHD. There are adverse effects on having an insufficient amount of sleep. It aggravates the symptoms of hyperactivity, recklessness, and inattention. On the contrary, a well-rested night can lift a child’s mood and decrease stress the next day. It can also help balance energy levels.

So, if you’re seeing yourself having difficulty bringing a child to sleep, consider these good strategies:

• Help them to have consistent and early bedtimes
• Encourage them to get physically active within the day, such as joining a martial arts class
• Discourage caffeine in their diet
• Allow them to have a moment of winding down before sleeping

3. Consider an ADHD Coach or Therapist

Having an ADHD coach is one of the best ways to control ADHD in a kid. An ADHD coach is a professional who can help your child develop time management skills, healthier relationships, and management skills. They can also assist a child with motivation and proper self-esteem, which may help boost your relationship with him as a parent as well. 

If you’re looking to find an ADHD coach, some organizations list directories of ADHD coaches, these are:

• International Coach Federation (ICF)
• ADD Coach Academy
• National Attention Deficit Disorder Association (NADDA)
• Professional Association of ADHD Coaches (PAAC)
• Edge Foundation
• Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD)
• AD/HD Coaches Organization (ACO)

Likewise, seeking the assistance of an ADHD therapist can help manage the stress and anxiety of your child and your own. A therapist can be a good outlet for a child with ADHD. Such therapists can give essential professional help such as behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can help a child learn the vital skills needed to manage their symptoms and take control of their tasks. The objective is to replace negative behaviors with positive ones.

Summing Up

It can be a challenge to raise a kid with ADHD. Normal rule-making and daily household routines can become almost virtually impossible. As ADHD can be difficult for both the parent and the child, a parent must know that an essential step to take is to accept that ADHD relates to the difference in how the child’s brain works. Therefore, it’s necessary to have other ways to help a child develop positive behaviors.

Likewise, there are things that one should consider when being a parent of a kid with ADHD. These are parenting tips that can make life more comfortable for both the parent and the child. Some parenting tips to consider for these children are creating a structure, developing good sleeping habits, and having an ADHD coach or therapist.