How to Parent a Child With ADD

Is your child inattentive?

Parenting a child who has attention deficit disorder (ADD) can be frustrating. School projects and homework are set aside and never quite finished, or they are completed and not turned in for credit. Bedrooms seem to be a disorganized mess. Chores are only half finished because something else grabbed your child's attention. Personal hygiene issues like hair combing and deodorant use are frequently forgotten. Toys, bikes and cell phones are frequently missing because your child cannot remember where he had left them. Trying a variety of countermeasures for ADD can improve your child's life skills.

Things You'll Need

• Medical professionals
• Qualified therapist or life coach
• Planner
• Timer
• Voice recorder

Instructions

1. Seek advice from medical professionals who specialize in helping children with ADD. A combination of dietary changes, natural supplements or prescription ADD medication can help your child to stay on task.

2. Find a therapist or life coach who will work with your child. Specific games and visual activities can improve your child's concentration and social skills. Charts and day planners can improve his organizational skills.

3. Use a timer to help your child complete tasks, such as chores and homework. Racing against a set amount of time to complete tasks can motivate your child.

4. Encourage your child to use a voice recorder whenever a teacher or a coach gives directions. Your child can replay the directions in private and as often as necessary.

5. Motivate your child to succeed with generous and genuine praise, as well as encouragement and frequent reminders. Distribute colorful notes with positive messages around the house to remind and encourage your child. Tell your child often that you are working together as a team.

Tips & Warnings

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the preferred term previously called attention deficit disorder (ADD), according to Mayo Clinic and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ADHD describes the primary aspects, including inattention and hyperactive-impulsive behavior. Some children show marked attention improvement if you remove from their diets refined sugars, red food dyes, or lactose products. When you try this method, remove only one food type at a time for several weeks, so that you can identify the source of an improvement.

• A full night of sleep can also improve a child's attention. Play soothing music and use a weighted blanket created specifically for your child's age and weight to enhance sleep and diminish anxiety and stress.

• Watch for negative side effects of ADD or ADHD medications, such as tics, picking holes in legs, face or scalp or serious weight loss. Check with your child's doctor if you notice these or any other unusual symptoms.

References

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• MedlinePlus: A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders

Resources

• University of Maryland: Clinical Psychology Program: Maryland ADHD Program
• American Journal of Public Health: A Potential Natural Treatment for ADHD
• Oxford Journals of Pediatric Psychology: Measurement of ADHD Outcomes: Implications for the Future