How to Deal with ADHD in Your Family
Learning how to deal with ADHD is essential if you hope to be able to help your child with this disorder. Coping with ADHD is not easy, but with the proper knowledge and understanding you can reap great rewards.
ADHD can be extremely frustrating, as I am sure you realize. But I am here to tell you that, when dealing with ADHD child, there are some things you can do to make it much easier.
An ADHD child can be an extemely demanding child. If you have other children who are not hyperactive, you understand that these children are different from most children.
Parents and teachers are both concerned about ADHD children, because they are the ones who come in most contact with them.
At home and at school, an ADHD child can be the cause of a chaotic environment. There are certain things that are helpful in dealing with ADHD children effectively.
A few common and effective tips about how to deal with ADHD are as follows:
1. Right Choice of Food:
Coping with ADHD can be greatly eased with the right choice of food. Avoid giving him sugary foods, fried foods, junk food, carbonated drinks, juices, dairy products and processed foods. Many of these foods are the source of food allergies for these children. Instead give him lots of water, fresh meat, organic foods, multivitamins and lots of raw vegetables and fruits. Read more on ADHD diet therapy here.
2. Look into Natural Treatments:
There are many natural treatments for ADHD that are effective without the side effects of medication. We have chosen to use herbal products from Native Remedies. Focus Formula for Children and Adults with ADHD has been very helpful. They also have products that have been shown to help calm anxious and overactive children.
3. Draining His Energy:
Dealing with an ADHD child is much easier if the child is getting frequent opportunities for exercise. Encourage him to have extra physical activities. Let him play energetic sports for hours, let him burn up that energy. A tired body will help him sleep better, without interupted sleep patterns. Running, jumping and exercising will give him opportunity to release his excess energy.
4. Let Him Choose His Activities:
When dealing with ADHD child, imposing things on him will only make life more difficult for you and the child. Whenever appropriate, opt for his choice of methods.
If having poor handwriting, messiness and sloppiness is an issue then give him an option for alternative methods. As discussed in young children with ADHD consider alternative methods for student response e.g. tape recorder, oral reports, etc. and in senior grades allow for use of a computer.
Use pencil with rubber grip. Teach organizational skills. Be sure the student has daily, weekly and/or monthly assignment sheets; list of materials needed daily; and consistent format for papers.
Have a consistent way for students to turn in and receive back papers; reduce distractions. Assist student to keep materials in a specific place (e.g. pencils and pens in pouch)
In activities even ask for the child’s preferences. Ask him to choose between different physical activities. Let him choose groups of his choice for physical activities.
5. Don’t Abuse, Scold, OR Accuse Him:
When dealing with the ADHD child, confront him only when necessary. ADHD children are very sensitive. They compare themselves to other children and this may lead to emotional struggles including depression.
In such case, scolding him, accusing him, verbally abusing him or confronting his lies will only make things worse. Try counseling and discussing rather than blaming him for things he did.
As you learn how to deal with ADHD in your child and family, these guidelines will greatly improve the situation. Some of them are counterintuitive. However, following them will make coping with ADHD and ADD much easier as you look for long term solutions to what is typically a very difficult situation.