As parents, surely you will feel shocked when your beloved child is diagnosed with ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). This mental disorder will make your child difficult to focus. Usually, children with ADHD have hyperactive and impulsive behavior.
Also, this mental disorder can have an impact on the child’s performance at school. Children with ADHD will find it difficult to sit and focus on receiving the material given by the teacher. So, what should you do if your child has ADHD?
Do This If Your Child Has ADHD
Actually, children with ADHD are just like any other child. Of course, they need love and affection from their parents. It is only that they need more attention and a different approach.
Here are several tips for raising children with ADHD:
1. Tell the children about their condition
Do not conceal ADHD from your child. As parents, you must tell and explain to your children about their condition. Explain that it is not their fault. Thus, your child will understand and start trying to control it.
2. Don’t Sue Children
Usually, children with ADHD will be more inconsistent than other children. It could be that today their test score is 90, the next day it is only 65. As parents, you must avoid demanding your child to be better. Actually, children with ADHD are smart. They certainly know what to do, however, sometimes they do not know how to start. This is what people often misinterpret in general about children with ADHD.
3. Keep Teaching Responsibility
Children with ADHD will be more difficult to do things. Thus, parents need to be assertive and teach their children about responsibility. For example, if your child does not want to do his/her homework, give your child an understanding that homework is a responsibility that needs to be done. Tell the child that he/she must do that.
Read also: List of Appropriate Chores by Age for Children and Teens (2 – 18)
4. Apply Rules and Consequences Slowly
For children with ADHD, usually parents will find it easier to apply rules and consequences verbally and in writing. For example, as parents, you can post a list of children’s responsibilities and rules in the house.
If you want to give a gift to your child, that is okay. But do not give your child a gift for something which is still a long time away, such as: “Mama will give you a doll when you get to the next grade.”
Need to know that children with ADHD have problems planning for the future. Thus, it does not make sense to promise a gift that will only be given next year. Instead, as parents, you should purchase a gift that can be given in the near future, for example, you can give permission for your child to play games outside the scheduled time.
Also, parents need to explain the consequences to their children clearly. Then, implement the consequences that have been made slowly, but still be assertive. Sometimes, parents may feel frustrated and tired of dealing with their children. However, do not educate your children with anger.
5. Help children find their strengths
Children with ADHD are often ostracized. Of course, this can make them feel like they have no self-esteem and are prone to depression. They may feel like they cannot do anything useful and are always wrong. Then, it becomes easy to lose enthusiasm.
If this happens, as parents, you need to revive your child’s spirit. Try to observe and find out what your child is interested in. As long as it is positive, just encourage your child to pursue it until your child is really good at it. Also, do not forget to give your child an understanding that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Then, invite your child to find his/her strengths.
6. Don’t Be Overprotective
Over time, a child with ADHD will certainly grow up. So, he/she needs to learn to be independent. As parents, you want to make sure everything goes smoothly, however, once in a while, let your child make his/her own decisions and solve his/her own problems, as long as it is not dangerous.
