How to help a Child with ADHD?

Answer 1

I'm 45 years old and have suffered from ADHD my entire life. It was not diagnosed in the 80s and 90s, and I learned how to cope and strategize for success. But this came through failure. My recommendation for a parent trying to deal with ADHD, whether hyperactivity or inattentiveness, is to be their biggest and best cheerleader. You want to provide the support needed but hold them accountable simultaneously. Children with ADHD do better with structure and accountability. Speak with your healthcare provider about medications if you choose to go that route. You have the choice as a parent.

Answer 2

First, continue loving them as you always have! Remember, ADHD certainly doesn't mean your child is "broken," just like a diabetic taking insulin is not "broken." There are so many new developments in the ADHD field - medication, occupational therapy, tools to help us "time-blind" people stay on track of what time it is, your child's right to accommodations at school (if necessary), as well as coaches and therapists who can help your child navigate this amazing, wonderful, sometimes frustrating world we live in! I definitely recommend an ADHD coach/therapist to help your child counter the negative thoughts we sometimes have and find ways to manage to live neurodiverse. Special Education teachers who themselves have ADHD are GREAT tutors. Not only do we know what having ADHD is like first-hand, but we also know about educational trends, new research, and what seems to work best for our students. I would absolutely recommend getting a planner as our brains have so much going on, it's entirely too easy to forget important dates. Even students in college who have ADHD can receive help! Contact your school's Office of Disability Services and see how they can help your child. Finally, if your child does end up getting accommodations - either in PK-12 or higher education - please don't feel guilty or feel like they are getting to "cheat." All accommodations do are level the playing field, so all students have a chance at a great education. Imagine, if you will, two people. They are trying to watch a baseball game from behind a fence. One of them is almost six feet tall and can easily see over the fence. The other person isn't having as great luck - they are around five-foot-five-inches and the fence is approximately six inches taller. If the shorter person looks over and notices a wooden box, drags it over to the fence, climbs on it, and then happily watches the game, are they somehow getting an unfair advantage? Not at all. It's just levelling the playing field, so everyone gets a chance. Best wishes to you and your child! If you have any questions at all, please feel free to reach out. Thank you for your time.

Answer 3

There are many way to help children or young adults with ADD! As an Executive Function Coach, I help give them tools to be successful instead of frustersted. In their daily life and at school.There are specific life hacks that really help to impower these young people and bring them out from the depths of discouragement and shame. There is hope! Executive function coaching DOES work! One ley thing we work on is organization, the kind that works with thier brain and not against it. We work on step by step organization that leads to completion. I work on mindset with them and making themselves accountable to them first before others and setting thier own deadlines and their own reasons as to why they get tasks done. Having a " war plan " for their life on a daily and weekly basis is key. I hope this helps. Please reach out to me if you have any further questions!