Things You'll Need:
- Patience and tolerance
- A willingness to set up a plan and follow it
- Pencil and paper, or a computer
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Step 1
Remember that your child has a more difficult time with impulse control than a child without ADHD. Use time-outs rather than corporeal punishment. And be prepared to give yourself a time-out when you need it. This benefits in two ways. You set a good example for the child. And it allows your child the time he or she needs to gain control over their feelings and become calm.
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Step 2
During a period of time when your child is not upset, talk with them about what is appropriate and what is not appropriate behavior for when they feel frustrated and angry. Cut out pictures of people expressing their emotions and discuss them with your child. Encourage your child to tell you how he or she feels at various times.
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Step 3
Together, again during calm moments, write up an "I Can, I Can't" chart. If your child is old enough to write, they should compose the chart with your help. Otherwise you can do the writing. For the chart, create two columns; one labeled "I Can Do When I am Angry" and the other labeled "I Can't Do When I am Angry." List acceptable behaviors under the first column: going to his or her room to calm down, counting to ten, taking deep breaths, etc. Under the second column, list all the negative behaviors that your child does when he or she is throwing a temper tantrum. These will be unique to your child. Post the list in your child's room and refer to it often. In a firm voice, remain your child of the list when negative behaviors arise.
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Step 4
Put together a behavioral modification chart with a stated reward. Place a grid on paper. On the first row list positive behaviors: getting through the day without a tantrum, doing what Mom or Dad says on the first request, etc. On the left-hand column, list the days Sunday through Saturday. On each day, reward the positive behaviors with a sticker. When your child gets through the week with a previously agreed upon number of stickers, reward him or her with a special treat. These can be non-monetary rewards like special times with Mom or Dad, extra play or TV time, etc.
