After the evaluations of ADHD, parents often call me feeling overwhelmed when trying to understand how to put together a plan to manage their child’s needs. ADHD can best be managed through a combination of modalities including, but not limited to, medical and behavioral management treatments. Parents interact with their children on a daily basis and are at the “point of performance” where they can have the greatest impact on making change and supporting their child’s needs.
Get Involved
Parents are at the “point of performance” when children act impulsively, have difficulty sustaining focus or fail to follow through with jobs to completion. Before parents can help effectively they need to take the time to understand the biological as well as social ramifications of ADHD. This way they can become a more effective source of support and advocacy.
Get Educated
ADHD affects children at home, in social settings and at school. You’ll need to learn techniques to help your child sustain attention and focus, improve behaviors, accommodate work at school, develop homework skills, communicate with peers and improve family relationships.
Use a Strength-Based Approach
Children with ADHD can be exceptionally creative. They have strengths as well as areas that need accommodation. By focusing on areas of strength, you more easily build on accomplishments and improve your child’s self esteem. Accompanying this with a system of positive reinforcement will set the stage for change and improvement.
Parenting Classes Should Include:
- An education about ADHD: the biological and social components.
- An assessment of your parenting style and skills. Do you and your spouse have the same style and do you act on a united front?
- An evaluation of your child’s strengths and areas that need accommodation.
- Training on parent communication skills to help you get the results you want to achieve.
- A strength-based, positive reinforcement behavior management system to change behaviors, teach the child how to perform routines or to learn new tasks.
- Education on school accommodations, 504 plans and school communications.
Consistency and follow through is essential. Learning a technique accomplishes nothing unless the technique is used repeatedly. Changing behaviors is a process. It takes time, commitment and consistency. Remember, you’re teaching
your child skills they’ll use throughout their entire lifetime. Teach them while they’re young and give them a better chance at living a successful life.