Tips on coping with a child with ADHD

I am a mother of a 6 year old son who was recently diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). I am by no means a expert on this subject - I am only a mom who struggles to help my ADHD child.

Listed below are some tips I have learned from experience along the way.

1. Life with a child who has ADHD has its challenges, but remember that your child is not acting up because they want to be difficult - they can't help it . So it 's up to you to stay calm and avoid arguing with your child. It helps to keep the daily routine and home life as calm, predictable and stress-free as possible.

2. Accept that there is a problem, whether or not you accept the diagnosis. Denial will not help you or your child.

3. Be prepared to feel guilty about the time you spend with your ADHD child compared to the time you spend with your other children. Other family members may start to feel like your are neglecting them.

4. Take care of yourself - it is often challenging to raise a child with ADHD. Caring for your own physical and mental health is an important part of helping your child, and will provide you with the necessary energy when you need it the most.

5. The most important thing is NEVER punish your child while you are angry. Take a breather away from the child before you hand out any punishment to your child. Disicipline that belittles or shames a child can truly be harmful.

6. Start rewarding instead of punishing. You've probably already discovered how useless it is to try to punish your child when he 's running around or tuning you out. What I have found with my child is how well he responds to simple rewards. Praise good behavior immediately ("You brushed your teeth, just like I asked you to! Thanks so much!") and give your child a reward that pleases him such as a special snack or extra time to watch TV, for example. The reward should be something he can enjoy right away; kids with ADHD don 't like to wait.

7. Realize you are not alone. There are many parents out there who have a child with ADHD. If you need to talk to someone, you can find support groups out there. Talk to your Doctor or Therapist. They can point you in the right direction to find support.