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Coping
with ADHD
The treatment
Currently children and adults with
ADHD are prescribed drugs like Ritalin or other psychostimulants or antidepressants
with the aim of improving their capacity to inhibit and regulate impulsive
behaviours. There is also a behavioural approach that involves psychotherapy,
parenting counseling, cognitive behavioural training or school support
programmes. It has been found that a combination of drug therapy and behavioural
treatment makes for the best prognosis.
Tips for parents
of children with ADHD
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Immediate feedback: Keeping in mind
the short attention span of children with ADHD, parents need to give them
immediate feedback or consequences for their behaviour and activities.
This feedback must be clear, specific, and occur as close in time after
the behavior that it refers to.
-
Frequent feedback: While immediate response
is important, feedback must also be frequent. Parents need to tell ADHD
children how they are faring in whatever activity they are involved in
or how well they are conducting themselves at very short intervals.
-
Form of feedback: Positive feedback
can be in the form of praise or compliments but should specify exactly
what the child has done to earn it. It can also be in the form of physical
affection like a hug , extra privileges or occasionally a food treat.
-
Powerful consequences: ADHD children
have reduced sensitivity to rewards and other consequences. Hence, larger
and more important rewards are needed to motivate them to perform, follow
rules or behave well.
-
Positive before the negative: Parents
should try not to make punishment the first step in suppressing undesirable
behaviour. They should attempt to glean some positive aspect from the child's
behaviour and reward that aspect. Punishment when given should be mild
and specific to a particular behaviour.
-
Consistency in discipline: Parents should
strive to react in the same manner over a period of time to the child's
behaviour whenever it occurs. In addition, they will need to be persistent
when dealing with a ADHD child, as they are not exactly the most obedient
kind. Even if parents feel that their efforts are going to waste, they
need to stick to the disciplinary programme or they will not see the fruits
of their hard work.
-
Consistency at home and elsewhere: Parents
of ADHD children often tend to respond to the same behaviour differently
at home and in public. They must avoid this as it puts a spoke in all the
wheel of all their disciplinary efforts. The ADHD child needs to know that
the rules and consequences expected to occur at home will also apply away
from home.
-
Consistency across parenting techniques:
While each parent has their own approach to parenting, they should not
contradict or undermine each other's authority.
-
Handling problem situations: ADHD children
can be difficult and disruptive in the most public of places and parents
tend to get caught on the wrong foot every time. Most parents can anticipate
a problem situation. What they have to do is devise a strategy to deal
with it in advance so that they are prepared when it happens. They will
need to make all the rules clear to their children in advance too. Thus,
when the problem occurs, both parent and child know the routine.
-
Putting things in perspective: Dealing
with a ADHD child is no joke. Parents of such children often find that
they are frustrated, enraged, and embarrassed. However, they must remember
at all times that they are the adults and cannot afford to lose control.
If both parent and child were to lose their cool, the situation would deteriorate
rapidly. In any case, ADHD children are victims of a disorder and often
cannot help the way they behave.
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Help your child remember: Make lists
of the tasks that the child has to accomplish. Highlight important dates
on the calendar. Verbal reminders are also necessary.
-
Provide outlets for the release of excess
energy: Encourage the child to participate in creative constructive activities
like a sport or a hobby.
-
Accept your child's limitations: A ADHD
child is never going to be a model child. So don't hit your head against
a brick wall trying to make him one. Try to see the virtues in your child
and help him make the most of them.
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