As a young parent it is probably very hard to deal with ADHD. When you first heard the diagnosis you were probably a little bit relieved because there was finally a reason for the inappropriate behavior of your child. The constant nagging, running, shouting was more than you could take and now all this behavior finally got a name. However, the inappropriate behavior of your child continues and dealing with ADHD is a very difficult thing to do for a young parent.
Dealing with this disorder starts by trying to really understand what it exactly is. If you can understand how your child feels and behaves, you are probably more prepared to react on some type of behavior.
Understanding ADHD:
Normally when we try to do our best in handling our children, we use methods like punishment and rewards. We want to state what is appropriate and what is not. The problem in children with ADHD is that they are not able to relate punishment and behavior to each other. If they did something wrong and you punish them for it, they are not able to understand why you punish them. Not necessary to say that punishing does not work if the other person can not relate to it.
Another aspect of ADHD behavior is that you child has problems concentrating and keeping attention to one activity. Most people are able to concentrate on a book and ignore certain sounds that come from outside. A child with ADHD is not able to ignore other sounds and it has to turn it’s attention to it. When this happens a couple of times, he will have a tough job finishing his homework.
Dealing with ADHD:
So what is the best way to deal with your child that is not listening to you and shows inappropriate behavior? I already stated that punishing will not work. However, the best way in dealing with ADHD is trying to be consistent in what you do and say. Don’t call it punishment, but state that after certain behavior comes certain related causes. The important thing is that everybody has to be consistent: parents, teachers, doctors.
Use some basic rules what the child should abide. Do not make it to difficult for him, but make some easy to understand rules. Support your child in helping him concentrate on one task at a time and don’t allow to much distraction. Always try to be one step ahead when it comes to distraction of any kind.
Understanding and supporting your child are the most important things you need to do when it comes to dealing with ADHD. Although this will be very difficult and will not work instantly, after a while you will notice the difference.
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