Tips for parents of children with ADHD by Barbara Roba

How to help the child with ADHD

Children who have ADHD need very clear, consistent, and predictable limits. They have a hard time with warnings and unclear consequences. The same is true for those children who remain undiagnosed yet regularly display short attention spans, impulsive behavior, and/or hyperactive symptoms. Children who have difficulties in this area characteristically have poorer grades in school, fewer positive peer relationships,have lower self-esteem, and have more trouble with those in authority as rules and directions are not easily followed.

These are good children who want to please others, want to be liked by their peers, and who want to get good grades. However, several factors exist for these children that may not for their peers. To begin with, the brains of children with ADHD or like symptoms are wired differently than other children who do not suffer from attentional, impulsivity, and/or hyperactive symptoms. Environmental factors also contribute to the likelihood of experiencing difficulty in this area. Those who come from chaotic homes, have inconsistent parents, those who are abused or neglected, or have any other ongoing stressors are at a much higher risk.

My book has 45 inventions for ADHD. Here are four of them:

1. In the moment, teach your child to consider the consequences of their actions. If the consequences are not favorable, they should think about what choice to make instead.

2. Keep your verbal requests simple and clear. Many children with ADHD can only effectively manage one-step directions. Too many words make your message hard to understand.

3. Ensure your child has complete understanding of your requests and expectations. Do this by role-playing or physically showing them what you are expecting.

4. Use nonverbal directives when possible, such as sign language or pointing to the rules as a reminder. Many children become unaffected by verbal requests. Eventually, it sounds like “blah, blah, blah.” Nonverbal communication sends a different type of message that can be even more effective.

Want more tips? Check out her book 'Building Blocks of Positive Parenting':

Blurb:

The book that parents wish their children were born with is here!Do you wonder what to do when your child refuses to listen to you? Do you wish your child wasn't so defiant? Is there a way to quell tantrums? Do you know how positive discipline can make your life easier as a parent? In The Building Blocks of Positive Parenting, Barb answers each of these questions and much more with easy to understand explanations, tips, plans, and interventions than can be put into place today!

Most parents have very busy lives and don't have the time or energy to spend reading parenting books cover to cover. The best part of The Building Blocks of Positive Parenting is that you don't have to read the whole book to see changes in your child. In the first few chapters, you will easily learn the foundations to positive parenting. From there, you take control and get to pick and choose from behaviors specific to your child. Doing so will allow for a targeted approach instead of having to weed through information that has nothing to do with your child and family. Given our fast-paced world, this book is a refreshing and easy-to-use tool to encourage positive change.

Buy links

Amazon / Behavior Corner / Teachers Pay Teachers / Tate Publishing

Bio:

Barb Roba is a licensed mental health counselor and has earned a masters degree along with her Certificate of Advanced study in school counseling. Her area of expertise is found working with young children and their families to develop positive parenting and behavior management techniques. Barb is a mother of two boys. She currently works as an elementary school counselor and provides online mental health therapy to clients.

Find her on Facebook and on Twitter.