adhd
Treating ADD/ADHD Through Education
It"s sad to say, but there is no cure or quick fix. In spite of claims to the contrary, special diets, electronic gadgets and changes in the environment have not proven to be helpful with a significant number of ADD children. However, a great deal is known about how to help improve their behavior, self-esteem and overall quality of life.
One of the best things you can do to help your child is to increase your understanding of the nature and symptoms of ADD. Books, tapes, seminars, support groups, educators and mental health professionals are great sources of information to help broaden your awareness of how ADD affects your child. It is important to understand the difference between unable and unwilling. As you wouldn"t punish a 4-year-old for not being able to read the newspaper, a child"s frustration, impulsiveness and restlessness is often as unintentional. By distinguishing between when your child is unable to behave from when he is simply unwilling, you can reduce your stress level and help stop a more intense behavior from developing.
Most elementary-aged ADD children cannot remember multiple directions. If you tell your child to take out the garbage, feed the dog and get the mail, you may find garbage in the dog"s bowl and the dog in the mailbox—it"s simply too much information to process. It"s not unwillingness; it"s inability. Initially, you will need to give one direction at a time. After a while (which may range from six months to 21 years), you can teach your child to make lists or use memory devices.
Since there is no easy way to sort out inability, you just need to do your best in assessing the situation. Pray for God"s direction while you pay attention to the angry, defiant, vengeful attitude and the momentary accidental flare-ups. If your child is aggressive and harmful, punishment may be in order, as the child"s reality includes living in a society that censures most forms of violence.
ADD children need clear descriptions of what they are being asked to do, as well as specific consequences for their behavior and consistent enforcement of these principles. Lots of praise and reward for successful and appropriate behavior is necessary.
Try to avoid reinforcing negative behaviors as much as possible—ignore silly, inappropriate actions. It is better to establish firm, consistent consequences for the more severe misbehavior. Try to plan your reaction ahead of time—"time-outs" and "grounding" can be very useful, but be careful to adapt each tactic to your child"s needs and age.
Self-Control
While most children have the natural ability to turn their motion off and on, ADD children must learn to control their reactions and activity. Games like "statue," "beat the clock"** and "Simon says" can be used to help your child "lower the idle."
The acronym SODA represents the steps one subconsciously goes through when making a decision. Stop and think about the problem. Consider the Options for successfully dealing with the issue. Determine the best option by considering the consequences. Then Act on the choice. Kids with ADD don"t learn this process through normal experience and need to be instructed. Parents, siblings, teachers, even school bus drivers, can teach these skills. And research shows that instruction in self-control is futile unless the child"s caretakers are involved.
The majority of ADD children are socially incompetent, immature or aggressive. While medication can be effective in reducing aggressive behavior, social skills training helps youngsters learn appropriate social behavior and how to put it into action when among their peers.
Educational Intervention
It"s no wonder ADD students have a tough time in school. Nowhere else are children required to concentrate for so long in the face of so many distractions. Successful performance depends on the ability to pay attention. All students must learn class routines, conform to teachers" rules and inhibit their desires to do otherwise. Because our educational system demands these skills at an early age, ADD children experience a good deal of frustration and failure. Teachers usually instigate the referrals for evaluation. Confusion arises over the kinds of problems a child has and what should be done, for unless the teacher believes in ADD, it will be hard to convince him to make necessary modifications for your child.
Some teachers bristle at the idea. The prevailing opinion is that ADD children are merely irresponsible, lazy, immature or spoiled little people. So parents must help the school appreciate the legitimacy of ADD by providing written materials, recommending workshops and videos, and organizing training sessions to bring them up to speed on the subject of ADD.
Since the regular classroom is limited in the amount of flexibility it can extend, ADD children usually find a fly on the ceiling more intriguing than mathematics. Teachers can help improve the ADD child"s chances for success by:
- Structuring the classroom so it is predictable.
- Communicating assignments to the parents as well as the child.
- Minimizing distractions, if possible.
- Providing immediate feedback, including both verbal and tangible rewards for successful completion of tasks and assignments.
- Adjusting the curriculum to the student"s needs and abilities.
- Working together with the child"s other teachers, doctors and parents.
- Speaking often with parents—not waiting until report card time.
Children with attention deficit disorders can drive you crazy, but with a little help and a lot of understanding and encouragement, you can help make their lives, and yours, more successful and fulfilling.
Background Information
Treatment of AD/HD
A comprehensive approach to treating AD/HD.
Types of Learning Difficulties
If you suspect your child may have a learning disability, parents need to be aware of the symptoms that prevent learning at school.
Characteristics and Causes of Attention Deficit Disorders
Attention disorders may be one of the most prevalent problems of childhood.
Questions and Answers
My daughter has some of the symptoms of ADD, but she is a very quiet child. Are some ADD kids withdrawn and sedate?
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My six-year-old son is beginning to have learning problems in school because he can't stay in his seat and concentrate on his lessons. What should I do?
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Does ADD go away as children grow up?
Answer
We have a 5-year-old son who has been diagnosed with ADD. He is really difficult to handle, and I have no idea how to manage him.
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What kind of treatment is available for ADD/ADHD?
Answer
Review Frequently Asked Questions
Stories
A Reason to Hope
Poor grades at school, inattentiveness and a failure to complete tasks might have a cause you haven't thought of.
If you've been through a experience related to this topic, we invite you to share your story with others.Share Your Story
Other Things to Consider
Related Topics
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Life Pressures: Working Moms, Stay-At-Home Moms, Time for Family
Relationships: Parents and Adult Children, Blended Families
