How can you help a child who struggles with ADHD?
According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, there are six recommended ways to support children living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Have a positive attitude. Focusing on successes and victories helps as the overall positivity can go a long way.
- Create and maintain a structure. Children living with ADHD are more likely to succeed when they have a routine schedule of tasks each day, which will be enormously helpful.
- Communicate the rules and expectations clearly. Laying out simple rules and expectations clearly can be easily understood and followed.
- Encourage movement and a proper sleep schedule. Regular exercise will help burn energy, which ultimately leads to sleep better and can help to better manage ADHD symptoms.
- Focus on social skills. Children can often experience difficulty with maintaining relationships and making friends. Working with a life coach, the child’s therapist or even a parent modeling social skills can help establish and reinforce the social skills.
- Request help from your child’s school. The school will have programs and special education services if you feel they may need them. These programs and services can help enhance the use of structure and routine at home, which will better set the child up for success.
For more information on ways to help a child who struggles with ADHD, visit namica.org
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