Medication is not a magic wand that eliminates the frustrating behaviors associated with ADHD. Whether or not you use meds, there are other tools that can help your child
Parenting a child with ADHD can feel very frustrating and chaotic. In a recent parenting group, one mom described her son as having a motor but no brakes. It seemed he was always on a collision course- knocking into every boundary and rule around him.
Children with ADHD are also often described as:
- Impulsive
- Non-Compliant
- Defiant
- Fidgety
- Forgetful
- Distractible
- Busy
- Chatty
These behaviors can be very disruptive for a family as they make simple tasks, such as trips to the grocery store or getting through dinner, a challenge.
Whether or not you choose the medication route - there are powerful arguments on both sides of the fence - there are other tools you can use to support and reinforce the behavior you would like to see.
Tools
Natural and Logical Consequences (natural example: when you forget your coat, you are cold; logical example: when you are late, you come home thirty minutes earlier, or you come right home after school)
Positive Reinforcement - Notice and reward the behavior you would like to see as soon as you see it. (example:a warm smile and comment about how much you appreciate it that your child played quietly while you were on the phone)
Avoid scenarios that guarantee failure - If you know that a trip to the mall is a recipe for disaster - don't go.
Work on one behavior at a time
Create realistic opportunities for success - You can do this by having age appropriate expectations and understanding the appropriate intervals for positive feedback that work best for your child.
Give clear, specific directions.
Use negative consequences when appropriate - Removal of privileges can be an effective way of reducing misbehavior.
Join a support group...you'll need to someone to vent with.
