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October is ADHD Awareness Month
Parenting a Child with ADHD
ADHD causes kids to be more inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive than is normal for their age. ADHD makes it harder for kids to develop the skills that control attention, behavior, emotions and activity. As a result, they often act in ways that are hard for parents to manage.
For example, because they are inattentive, kids with ADHD may:
- seem distracted
- seem not to listen
- have trouble paying attention
- not follow directions well
- need many reminders to do things
- show poor effort in schoolwork
- have trouble getting organized
Because they are hyperactive, kids with ADHD may:
- climb, jump or roughhouse when it's time to play quietly
- fidget and seem unable to sit still
- rush instead of taking their time
- make careless mistakes
- be on the go (constantly in motion)
Because they are impulsive, kids with ADHD may:
- interrupt a lot
- blurt out
- do things without thinking
- do things they shouldn't, even though they know better
- have trouble waiting, taking turns or sharing
- have emotional outbursts, lose their temper or lack self-control
At first, parents might not realize that these behaviors are part of ADHD. It may seem like a child is just misbehaving. ADHD can leave parents feeling stressed, frustrated or disrespected.
Parents may feel embarrassed about what others think of their child's behavior. They may wonder if they did something to cause it. But for kids with ADHD, the skills that control attention, behavior and activity don't come naturally. When parents learn about ADHD and which parenting approaches work best, they can help kids improve and do well.
Parenting is as important as any other part of ADHD treatment. The way parents respond can make ADHD better — or worse. If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD:
- Be involved. Learn all you can about ADHD. Follow the treatment your child's health care provider recommends. Go to all recommended therapy visits.
- Know how ADHD affects your child. Every child is different. Identify the problems your child has because of ADHD. Some kids need to get better at paying attention and listening.
- Focus on teaching your child one thing at a time. Don't try to work on everything at once. Start small. Pick one thing to focus on. Praise your child's effort.
- Work with your child's school. Talk with your child's teacher to find out if your child should have an IEP or 504 plan.
- Connect with others for support and awareness. Join a support organization for ADHD like CHADD to get updates on treatment and info, etc.
- Find out if you have ADHD. ADHD often runs in families. Parents (or other relatives) of kids with ADHD might not know they have it too.
Your relationship with your child matters most. Kids with ADHD often feel they're letting others down, doing things wrong or not being "good." Protect your child's self-esteem by being patient, understanding and accepting.
To access the full article on parenting a child with ADHD, click here.
