5 Tips for Managing Symptoms of ADHD

Angela Lacalamita, MA, LCPC

1. Set specific behavior goals and monitor your child’s progress toward the goal. Applying consequences and rewards using a behavior chart can help motivate the behavior changes. For example, a child may have a goal of sitting for 15 minutes at a time to do homework. Parents should track whether the child has met the goal. Short amounts periods of time can help the child complete assignments more easily and improve their level of confidence.

2. When giving directions, it is helpful to keep them short and simple. Complicated or long directions for children with AD/HD can result in the child easily losing focus and forgetting what you have asked them to complete. If long directions are needed provide written directions.

3. Provide a homework assignment notebook where your child is required to write assignments in and obtain teachers signatures indicating that he/she has everything needed to complete the assignments. Once the assignments are completed, parents should check them and also sign the assignment book indicating that all of the homework has been completed.

4. Create a written schedule for the child to follow. This would include a morning and afterschool routine. Specific directions such as: Make your bed, make your breakfast, brush your teeth and organize your backpack can reduce forgetfulness. If possible parents should check to ensure their child has everything necessary for the school day.

5. Offer feedback between compliments. If you need to let your child know that they have done something incorrectly, find something positive he/she has done and begin with the positive comment first.

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