What is ADHD?
The American Psychological Association defines ADHD as;
“a behavioral condition that makes focusing on everyday requests and routines challenging”(APA, 2023).
Children diagnosed ADHD have difficulty focusing, and tend to be very impulsive. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disorder, we can only treat the various symptoms.
Children with this disorder can get very aggressive and defiant.
When these situations occur, you may want to talk to your primary physician about seeking other treatment modalities.
Coping Strategies
Despite the fact that there is no cure, researchers have found several coping strategies that have shown great promise.
The National Library of Medicine lists the following as possible interventions for children with ADHD; (IQWiG, 2015)
- Routines, Clear instructions and rules
- Setting realistic goals
- Watching signs of overstimulation
- Sports and hobbies
- Praise
- Pay attention to your needs and accept help
Children with ADHD require a strong sense of structure so that they can focus on what needs to be done
By initiating a daily routine, children will learn what to expect the next day. It provides them with a sense of normalcy and it aids balancing their abrupt behavior.
When setting goals, remember to start slow. Changes do not come overnight, it takes time for a child to complete a goal.
Pay close attention to their levels of stimulation, children with ADHD can get overwhelmed quickly.
Children with this diagnosis tend to get agitated quickly, when this occurs send the child to another area. An area in which there are no distractions and no triggers. This could be an empty living room or their own bedroom.
By understanding the triggers that set off your child, you will be able to “control” their behavior
Sports and hobbies are a great way for children to release excess energy. Physical activities teach children to follow rules and control their impulses.
Parents should also praise their children when they are cooperating and following directions. Providing affection allows children to feel loved, heard, understood and it can even boost their self esteem.
It is important to remember to take care of yourself as well.
The most difficult job in the world is being a parent. You have all these outside commitments plus the health of children weighing you down.
Sometimes parents lose themselves in trying to meet daily demands and eventually they start to burnout. Parents will start to feel overworked in trying to help their families.
It is imperative that you take care of yourself as well. If you don’t, your overall health will be affected. Don’t be afraid to look for community resources within your community.
Behavior Modifications and Medication
In a 2016 national parent survey reported that “32% children with ADHD received both medication treatment and behavior treatment (CDC, 2023)”.
This research indicates that some parents have seen great improvements within their child’s behavior.
Most medical professionals recommend that parents explore both modalities. This way the child can get some structure and a routine.
It is important to note that ADHD tends to coincide with another mental health disorder. Children may show symptoms of both mental health disorders.
When in doubt, talk to your medical provider and get your child evaluated.
According to the CDC, “children diagnosed with ADHD are often diagnosed with other conditions like: depression, autism, and Tourette syndrome (CDC, 2023)”.
ADHD can be overwhelming, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. Therapy has shown promising breakthroughs for mental health disorders. Some disorders require a triad of treatments to maintain stability. Once a child enters into a routine, they will start to be more focused on the task at hand.
This post was written by Jasmine P., and published by Convenient Counseling Services.
Live in New York and want to learn more about working with us? Check us out here!
Check out more content like this here.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023b, September 27). Data and statistics about ADHD. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html
Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). (2015, September 9). deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Coping with ADHD in everyday life: Information for parents. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK321119/
American Psychological Association. (2023a). ADHD. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/topics/adhd
