Helping Kids with ADHD
Although it is not curable, there are two main ways to treat ADHD: Psycho-social Intervention and Medication
Psycho-social: Psycho-social treatment in children is aimed at improving academic performance, decreasing disruptive behavior and improving social skills. "Most clinicians typically recommend a combination of approaches designed to individualize treatments for those with ADHD, targeting both short-term management issues (decreasing hyperactivity and impulsivity) and long-term concerns (preventing and reversing academic decline and improving social skills" (Barlow, 2015).
What you can do to help combat symptoms:
Distractability
Impulsivity
Hyperactivity
Following Directions
Distractability
- place child away from doors, windows, pets, or any other things that could possibly distract them while working
- incorporate physical movement whenever possible when child is doing work
- divide large assignments into tiny chunks and allow frequent breaks and rewards after completing little goals
Impulsivity
- develop a behavior plan and write down near student, possibly on a large board so that it is clearly visible to child
- discipline child immediately after bad behavior and be clear of what good behavior and bad behavior is
- write a daily schedule out or a list of things to do and allow child to cross things off as they complete them (child may be more calm and feel sense of control if they know what to expect)
Hyperactivity
- allow your child to release energy in appropriate ways at appropriate times so that they are calmer during work times
- have kid run errands/do simple chores
- encourage physical activity like a community sport
- limit television time for active movement
- give the child an object to play with while working; could give child spinny chair or rocking chair to sit in while they work
Following Directions
- give brief directions allowing the child to complete a step and then come back for further instructions
- calmly but firmly remind child to stay on track if they get distracted
- write steps out on a board for the child to cross off as things are completed (Segal, 2014).
TALK TO YOUR CHILD'S TEACHER
Communication with your child's teacher is crucial in order to develop a learning strategy to best fit your child. Plan ahead a time to meet with you child's teacher and continue meetings frequently so that you both can discuss your child's progress. When meeting with the teacher, remmeber to listen, watch and peak. Listen attentively to the teacher's experience with your child. Be observant of your child's behavior at home. Finally, you must be open with the teacher and share all observations and medical history so that the two of you can create the best goals to help your child succeed. If it is available, ask about special services to assist your child's learning if needed. You can work with your child's teacher to develop and effective behavior plan** (Segal, 2014).