10 Rules for Working with ADHD Child

1. Always show love, acceptance and support – our love is not dependent on our children’s behavior.
2. Provide our children plenty of opportunities to make the right decision and celebrate the good ones immediately.
3. Never bait them into a trap – if you know they did something, don’t ask – state that you know it and discuss the situation.
4. Explain why they should do something, remind them of the rewards for doing it, the privileges lost for not, then let them decide.
5. Be persistent – It’s not easy saying “turn off the TV/Computer” over & over – let them know it’s important enough for us to follow through.
   
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   Don’t punish for every infraction – redirect and move on.

7. Set clear rules for what’s totally unacceptable (hitting, etc.).
8. When possible, allow for choices, rather than a single directive. Allowing our children the chance to choose between options often will reduce the battle that can result with forcing them into a task, completely on our terms.
9. Medication, if used, is not a crutch – it is an opportunity for our children to relieve some pressure while they develop new skills and tools for coping with the effects of ADHD. They need skills, not just pills.
10. Know when our children function well – if attention spans are depleted and frustration triggers more easily by dinner time, don’t put our children in the unrealistic position of challenging them at these times – resolve difficult issues earlier or wait until the morning
    

– FORTE KIDS Paediatric Rehabilitation center