In my last post, I talked about the dual approach to treating children with ADHD—medication and behavior therapy. As I mentioned, behavior therapy should always be the first line of defense when dealing with young children. But if medication is prescribed, it should be closely monitored by a physician, psychologist or counselor.
In this post, however, I want to focus on behavior therapy or what parents can do on a daily basis to help their child. Keep in mind that this is one component of the overall treatment plan for your child. Nevertheless, it’s a necessary and important part of that treatment. Each one of these tips is designed to help your child with ADHD live a healthier, more fulfilling life. Let’s take a closer look.
- Establish a routine and follow it. Your child may push back on this, insisting that it’s boring to do things the same way every day, but don’t be fooled. Your child needs routine, structure and organization in his or her day. As you go through the day, make sure that things happen in the same order. Does that mean your child can’t stay up a little later on Friday night? Of course not. But the routine should stay the same—from putting on his pajamas to brushing his teeth—or whatever typically occurs before his head hits the pillow. Similarly, establish a place for your child’s things, like toys or school supplies. He will be less likely to misplace these important items if they’re always in the same location.
- Look for the good. Your role as parent may be exasperating at times, but try to focus on the positive. You may need to look for small victories like when your child finishes part of a task rather than the whole thing. Any words of encouragement you provide increases the chances that he or she will finish what was started, and it will help build confidence along the way. As a word of caution, don’t inflate your praise and encouragement. Instead, be genuine. Your child is fully aware that what he does won’t always be right on target.
- Praise good behavior. When your child engages in positive behavior, acknowledge it right away. This approach loses its effectiveness if you wait until after the behavior occurs. If you’ve developed a reward system for certain behaviors, it’s important to enact it immediately. Some parents like to reward their child with a privilege, like extra time for a favorite activity. In most cases, however, your child’s best reward is hearing how pleased you are.
- Set clear rules and expectations related to discipline. Let your child know up front what the consequences will be when the rules are broken. If your child misbehaves, respond immediately by enforcing those consequences. Refrain from certain behaviors like yelling or spanking. Removing certain privileges is a better and much more effective approach.
- Adopt a healthy, holistic approach. This is an area where a healthy diet and lifestyle can really make a difference. While it’s important for all children to eat a balanced, nutritious diet and get plenty of rest, it’s even more critical for young children with ADHD. With that in mind, commit to providing healthy foods and making sure your child gets plenty of physical activity at regular intervals throughout the day.
David Lowenstein, Ph.D. is a psychologist and the clinical director of Lowenstein & Associates, Inc. in Columbus, Ohio. In addition to providing therapeutic services to individuals and families, he offers training and consultation to numerous associations, schools and agencies around the country. Additionally, he is a frequent radio and TV guest and a resource and contributing writer for numerous newspapers and magazines nationwide. Contact Dr. David Lowenstein at 691 South Fifth Street Columbus, OH 43206 or by phone at 614.443.6155 or 614.444.0432.
