Coping tips for parents of children with ADHD

By jyoti

• Build your support network:
Once diagnosed with the disorder, notify family members, close friends, teachers and anybody else with whom the child spends time. Ask for help, don’t shy away.

• Incorporate changes:
Eliminate sources of over stimulation and distraction in your child's environment. At home, make sure his room is tidy. Keep an eye on him or move him away from kids and objects that tend to divert his attention.

• Plan ahead:
Structure your day. Set up routines. All children do well with routines, but kids with ADHD need them even more.

• Reward instead of punish:
Turn to simple rewards than running around and scolding your kid. Praise good behavior immediately and give your child some little token that pleases him. And remember, the reward should be something he can enjoy right away, since kids with ADHD don't like to wait.

Getting a tangible show of appreciation will make your child feel good and he'll be inclined to repeat the behavior that made him feel that way. Over time, the good feeling will start to come from inside and there'll be less need to provide those external rewards.

How can teachers help:

The teacher's relationship with your child is very important. Now-a-days, more and more teachers are learning how to help children with ADHD thrive in mainstream classrooms, using many of the same techniques found in behavior therapy and parent training.

Classroom tactics include:
• Seating a student with ADHD away from distractions such as doors, high-traffic areas or windows
• Seating a student near the teacher's desk in the front of the class, with his back to the rest of the room, so he won't be distracted by his classmates
• Assigning only one task at a time so the student can focus
• Giving written as well as oral instructions
• Allowing a student with ADHD extra time for work or tests
• Giving the student take-home copies of material
• Clearly posting rules

It's also crucial that you and your child's teacher communicate about what's working and what isn't.