| As a doctor who treats ADD/ADHD, I am often | | | | unusual or non-routine activities by explaining what is |
| asked about ways to calm hyperactive children. More | | | | going to happen, and discuss ways they can keep |
| importantly, as the mother of a son with Attention | | | | calm even with the excitement brought on by the |
| Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, I understand how | | | | different activities. Follow through consistently. |
| challenging and nerve-wracking it can be for families | | | | * Try creating a "Quiet Box", "Boredom Box" or "Quiet |
| struggling with the condition. | | | | Room" that provides creative outlets for a hyperactive |
| During the course of my personal and clinical | | | | child. Provide a quiet room or space with quiet toys |
| experience, I have learned various methods and | | | | and activities such as puzzles, book, jewelry making, |
| techniques to calm hyperactive children. The key is | | | | drawing, etc. This room should have soothing lighting |
| consistency. Give these a try and see what works for | | | | and paint. Learn how to create a quiet home here. |
| your child. | | | | * Learn how to create a calm home. |
| * Speak in a calming voice without frustration or yelling. | | | | * Learn about ADHD diets and natural remedies for |
| Be the role model: If you want your child to be calm, | | | | ADHD. |
| remain calm yourself. | | | | * Try the Total Focus Program which is, in my clinical |
| * Healthy diet. Eat fresh foods, fruits, and vegetables. | | | | opinion, the best ADHD treatment resource for |
| Choose foods that have not been sprayed with | | | | struggling families. |
| harmful pesticides, or pumped with growth hormones, | | | | * Try some soothing aromatherapy scents. |
| steroids, and antibiotics. | | | | * Expose them to the beauty of nature. A quiet walk in |
| * Eliminate foods and drinks that contain added | | | | the park, camping, admiring the serenity of a gentle |
| preservatives, coloring and sugar. Check labels for | | | | stream, or simply relaxing in the backyard while gazing |
| anything that contains high fructose corn syrup as it | | | | at the stars is a great way to teach kids (and parents) |
| has been implicated in harming brain functioning, and | | | | how to slow down. |
| causing obesity, and diabetes. You will be shocked to | | | | * Use soothing music or sounds to calm hyperactive |
| see that it is contained in many foods you consume. | | | | children. |
| * Maintain firm, but kind, boundaries. Negotiate for good | | | | * Calmly explain why your child needs to settle down |
| behavior. | | | | such as "If you jump off the bed you can hurt |
| * Regular physical activity and exercise. Structured and | | | | yourself." It is not a debate, state it simply and do not |
| focused activities help redirect all of that unfocused | | | | get into a challenging debate. |
| hyper energy. Studies show that performing vigorous | | | | * Divide tasks into smaller components and calmly |
| activity can calm hyperactive children. | | | | repeat instructions. |
| * Remove the child from the situation in which they are | | | | * Avoid whatever may trigger their hyperactivity. |
| exhibiting hyperactivity such as a birthday party, store, | | | | * You set the tone, so try to remain positive. Children |
| etc. In other words, change the triggering environment. | | | | sense negative thoughts and will react to them; the |
| * Engaging in creative activities can help calm | | | | converse is also true. Reassure them that you still love |
| hyperactive children. This enables them to develop | | | | them even when they are behaving in a "highly spirited" |
| their creativity and release emotional energy. | | | | fashion. |
| * Masssage. Try massaging temples, rubbing shoulders, | | | | * Put a positive spin on time out by using it as an |
| massaging the scalp, or lightly running fingers through | | | | opportunity to calm down and remove the child from a |
| hair to calm a hyperactive child. | | | | trigger situation. |
| * Breathing and relaxation. Most children and adults do | | | | * Get enough sleep. Children 1 to 3 years old typically |
| not know how to calm down. Encourage children to | | | | require 12 to 14 hours of sleep, 3 to 6 year old kids |
| monitor their breathing when they get overly stimulated | | | | should get 10 3/4 to 12 hours of sleep, children 7 to 12 |
| and teach them to take deep breaths by slowly | | | | years of age need 10 to 11 hours, and 12 to 18 year old |
| inhaling through the nose for 3-5 counts and exhaling | | | | kids need 8 ¼ to 9 ½ hours of sleep daily. |
| through the mouth for 3-5 counts. Increase these | | | | * Engage in self care. Monitor your own your own |
| amounts over time. Teach them to focus on their body | | | | frustration. Your projected energy has a direct effect |
| and recognize any physical tension. Teach them to let | | | | on your children and environment, so you must take |
| go and release any body tension upon exhalation like a | | | | care of yourself before caring for others. |
| deflating balloon. | | | | Over time, I guarantee you will see progress. More |
| * Consistency. Stick to routines. Make certain children | | | | importantly, these techniques not only calm hyperactive |
| know what is expected of them and the | | | | children but they benefit both parents and children and |
| consequences for not abiding. Prepare children for any | | | | can bond the entire family. |