Parenting an ADHD child can be challenging on a good day!  These are some ways I have found helpful in parenting a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.  It is by no means an exhaustive list.

12 Tips and Trick to help your ADD/ADHD Child Behave…

1. Realize that you are working with a disability.  It helps me to take a step back and understand that a lot of the behaviors that my son exhibits are because of the ADHD, not because he is a “bad child” or because I’m a “bad parent”.  It’s not like he “purposely” gobbles his supper, forgetting all the table manners that I teach him EVERYDAY.  Nor is he trying to annoy me with the CONSTANT, ENDLESS chatter.  That is the way he is, period!
2. Structure and Routine.  Establishing a daily routine for you child is so very important.  Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder do not respond well to spontaneity or change.  They like to know what is going to happen and at what time.  We have a routine established in our home and try not to deviate from it.  Even the order in which we get ready for school is not altered.  If we plan to do something that is different than what is regularly “scheduled”, I let my son know the day before and remind him a few times.  This give him a chance to prepare.
3. Organization and Time Management.  I have a really big calendar that hangs in my kitchen.  I put every activity on this calendar for each person in the home.  If there is a special event coming up, a school activity, or even a friend coming over to visit I write it all down.  It helps my son to be able to visualize.  Every morning, he will go and check the calendar to see what’s happening that day.
4. Be Consistent.  It takes lots more work, but being consistent with an ADHD child is very necessary.  You need to be consistent in the daily routine and include logical consequences all the time.  If “Sam” does behavior A, he know that consequence B is going to happen EVERY time.  Give the child one warning to stop the behavior and then have the consequence happen immediately.  You also need to be consistent over the long haul in things you do.  I have to remind my son everyday about his table manners.  This likely won’t change.
5. Agree on the consequences together.  Your child is more likely to “buy in” to your set of rules and consequences if they have had some say and fell like they are part of the decision making process.  
6. Avoid Power Struggles.  Children with ADHD will often try to engage you in a debate.  Do not do this.  Instead give short direct answers and keep repeating them.  Instead of raising your voice (to be sure you are heard), try lowering it.
7. When giving instruction, break bigger tasks into smaller more manageable ones.  Instead of telling him to set the table, ask him to put the plates on.  Once that is accomplished, put the forks and knives on and so on.  Being given a big task is often to overwhelming for an ADHD child, if the task is broken into smaller bits, you will see a greater success of completing the task.
8. Be very specific when giving instructions.  When giving instructions to a “normal” child, you might say “John, take out the garbage please” and John would know what to do.  The garbage would end up in the appropriate receptacle outside.  When giving instruction to an ADD child, you need to be specific in order to help your child successfully complete the task.  “John, please tie up the garbage bag, bring it outside and put it in the silver can by the back gate.”
9. Catch your child doing something good.  Reward your child for the smallest things that they do correctly or without being prompted.  A kind word, or pat on the back will go along way in helping your child repeat such behaviors.
10. Always show them love and respect and lead by example.
11. Provide an outlet for release of energy.  Children that are hyperactive need a safe way to release some of that energy.  Getting them involved in a sport such as Karate, or Tae Kwon Do is a constructive way to release energy.
12. Take some time for you.  It is very important for you a the parent of an AD(H)D child to take a break.  This could be Dad letting Mom have the night off to go out with a friend.  It could be sending your children to Grandma’s for a sleepover.  It could be setting up a regular respite home that your child goes to for a weekend once each month.  However you work it in, remember taking time for you as a parent is not a bad thing.  Having a chance to rest and relax will give you renewed energy and allow you to give your best to your child. 

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