| Dealing with ADHD child behavior can be a challenging | | | | a catalyst that motivates a child with ADHD to be able |
| task for both parents and teachers alike. They can be | | | | to maintain his/her attention. |
| erratic, unpredictable, and place a great deal of | | | | *Eliminate distractions: The primary symptom of |
| emotional strain on everyone involved, including | | | | attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is inattention or |
| themselves. | | | | distractibility. Any little thing can completely disrupt their |
| The truth of the matter is that perhaps the most | | | | thought process. Once interrupted they may struggle |
| important thing to recognize when dealing with ADHD | | | | to restart. But not all children with ADHD respond the |
| child behavior is that it isn't their fault. In fact, it is now | | | | same. For instance some might be distracted from |
| believed that ADHD, short for attention deficit | | | | noise behind them but not from noise in front of them, |
| hyperactivity disorder, is a chemical imbalance involving | | | | or vice versa. So try to determine from observation |
| the chemical messengers dopamine, norepinephrine, | | | | what distracts your child and do your best to create |
| and possibly serotonin. It is the levels of these three | | | | an environment that allows them to perform at their |
| chemicals combined with how they interact with each | | | | very best. |
| other that ultimately will determine which symptoms will | | | | *Never say "if you only try harder": I have a friend |
| appear. Nevertheless, whether in dealing with ADHD | | | | whose child is riddled with ADHD symptoms who can't |
| child behavior you are facing hyperactivity, inattention | | | | seem to break this habit. Consequently her child |
| distractibility, or impulsive actions the bottom line is that | | | | struggles with self esteem and self confidence issues. |
| this condition boils down to a problem with self | | | | Most parents know that it is not a lack of desire or |
| regulation. In other words, the inability to control | | | | effort that is causing their child's academic and social |
| thoughts and actions effectively is at the heart of the | | | | challenges, but none the less it is hard habit to break. |
| behaviors so often encountered. | | | | For some parents dealing with ADHD child behavior |
| So we must mold our plan around these youngsters in | | | | the steps above will simply not be enough and finding |
| a way that still allows their strengths to develop. Let's | | | | an effective treatment option could be something |
| explore a few ideas as to how the process of dealing | | | | worth considering. The most common form of |
| with ADHD child behavior effectively might look. | | | | treatment are prescription stimulants, such as Ritalin, |
| *Be clear with your instructions: Those with ADHD are | | | | Adderall and Vyvanse. While effective, all stimulant |
| not good with the spoken word. They may easily | | | | medications come with a number of serious label |
| misinterpret the message, or catch only part of the | | | | warnings. The risk of side effects, or perhaps lack of |
| meaning. They are much better with either written or | | | | success with stimulants, has prompted many to |
| visual instructions. A good rule of thumb is give them a | | | | investigate other options. A couple examples of this |
| list, and if you are really creative add a few pictures. | | | | are behavior modification therapy and/or natural |
| This will help them better understand the message and | | | | remedies. Natural remedies for ADHD are a side |
| organize these new thoughts in their own special way. | | | | effect free way to address such problematic |
| *Make it interesting: A very important part of dealing | | | | symptoms as inattention, distractibility, impulsivity, erratic |
| with ADHD child behavior is to find tasks and projects | | | | behavior and hyperactivity and can be used both as a |
| that they believe to be interesting. Children with ADHD | | | | standalone treatment or as a compliment to other |
| need stimulus in order to focus. By making both home | | | | nonprescription alternatives. |
| and school related chores interesting you are providing | | | | |