ADHD

Managing and controlling your child’s ADHD symptoms

If you have a child with ADHD or ADHD symptoms, then you know how overwhelming this can be. What if there was a way to control and reduce your child’s ADHD symptoms, by helping them directing their energy into something more positive?

Most children with ADHD or ADHD symptoms do not have the ability of organizing, thinking and planning ahead, or completing tasks. As a parent, you will need to provide extra guidance for your child, while allowing your child to gain skills of their own.

What are some ADHD symptoms?

Before you can find solutions for your child, it’s best to first understand all of your child’s symptoms and how they impact the family as a whole.

Here are a few noticeable behaviors that many children with ADHD have that can disrupt the life of your family.

• They tend to disregard parental instructions
• They are very unorganized, as well as easily distracted
• They’ll begin projects and forget to finish them
• They will often interrupt conversation and demand to be the center of attention at the worst times
• They may speak before they think of what to say
• It can be very difficult for them to go to sleep
• They can also put themselves in physical danger by doing things that will cause them bodily harm

Ways to manage ADHD symptoms

There are ways to help reduce some of these symptoms that will make you and your family much happier in the long run. The first step is to stay positive and healthy by have a more positive outlook on life.

The best way to do this is to try to keep things in perspective. Keep in mind that your child’s behavior is a disorder. They don’t have an evil intention to make you and your family’s life a living hell.

Another thing to keep in mind is to have a sense of humor. As your child gets older, all of those embarrassing experiences you’ve dealt with in the past, will become funny stories in the future.

You’ll need to make some compromises for your child. If you child hasn’t finished their chores or have missed a couple homework assignments, cut your child some slack. You need to understand that if your child hasn’t finish something the way you wanted them to, it isn’t the end of the world.

Help your child grow as a person by believing in them. Put together a list of positive and unique this about your child. Be sure to trust that they will be to learn and mature themselves as the days go by.

ADHD symptoms can take a toll on you as well

While you are taking care of your child, you should also take care of yourself, especially during this time.

Be sure to exercise and eat right, as well as look for ways to reduce stress from your life. You should also seek support by talking with a teacher or a therapist.

You should also consider joining a support group for parents of children with ADHD. This will allow you to share your experiences and receive helpful advice from others going through the same situation.

Managing ADHD in your child

So you’ve just found out that your child has Attention Defect Hyperactivity Disorder and you are worried about what lies ahead for you and your child.

Below are a few things that every parent with children diagnosed with ADHD should know.

It can be managed

Although there is no cure for ADHD, the symptoms can be managed through medication and behavioral therapy. Meanwhile,  specialized or supplemental education such as a private tutor can ensure that your child doesn’t fall behind academically.

The amount of countermeasures needed to manage ADHD symptoms will vary based on the severity of each individual case, but typically children can be nearly symptom free with these simple treatments.

Medication

There are three types of medication that children with ADHD could be put on. They are:

• stimulants – most common treatment, last 4-12 hours
• nonstimulants – fewer side effects than stimulants, last up to 24 hours
• antidepressants – can be effective, slight risk increase of suicide

Each have their positive and negative effects, so it is up to you and the doctor to determine which one or combination are right for your child.

Behavior therapy

In addition to medication, your child might benefit from more structure through establishing a routine. The goal is to help your child understand what is expected of them by consistently having them perform the same actions on a regular basis.

For example, having a set bedtime that is followed on a nightly basis will help your child understand and recognize that as the bedtime approaches, they are expected to do things like get in their pajamas and brush their teeth.

Limiting choices and distractions in their life will keep them from becoming too distracted or overwhelmed.

Your child is not alone

Between 8% – 10% of American children are diagnosed with ADHD. Boys are three times as likely to be diagnosed than girls. In addition to speaking with your doctor, both parents and children might find it helpful to talk with other families managing the symptoms of ADHD.

Together you can learn what works and what doesn’t without having to feel like you’re suffering through it all alone.