6 Tips for Raising a Child with ADHD

Without a Doubt...

Without a doubt, most parents are good parents. But when it comes to raising a child with ADHD, good may not be enough. Not only can living with ADHD be difficult for the child but the parents as well. At Better Brain and Body we want to give you as a parent every advantage we can. Below are some tips we’ve found to help maximize the good days and minimize the bad days.

Know that ADHD is not the end.

All parents have high expectations and wishes for their children. And while ADHD doesn’t make their road to success easier, it is in no way a curse. Just look at people like Simone Biles, Justin Timberlake, Channing Tatum, Adam Levine, and Michael Phelps. All of which have been living with ADHD and gone on to great success.

That being said, it’s important to believe in your child’s future. Children have the ability to pick up on a parent’s frustration or resentment. As a result, they too can become discouraged. By having faith in you child’s ability, it will be much easier for you and your child to see it through the difficult times.

Don’t be too quick to say “No”.

As parents, we can’t say “yes” to everything. At certain times, we must say “no” to keep our children from doing something dangerous. However, it’s all too easy to start saying “no” as a reflex. If a child hears “no” too often they will be more prone to rebelling.

Should you find yourself doing so too frequently or quickly, try this exercise. Before answering, take a deep breath before responding. Should you still need to tell your child “no” do so in an affirmative manner to avoid confrontation.

Praise Good Behavior

No parent is perfect and as such, it's easy to overlook when a child is behaving positively. When this happens too often, the resulting negativity can impact all aspects of life, leaving your child feeling like they are walking on eggshells and with feelings of resentment.

A great way to avoid this is by looking for one positive behavior each day and praising your child for it. By doing so, you’ll be avoiding possibly years of resentment and also reinforcing positive behaviors.

It’s them, not the Meds

While medications may be necessary for some children, it’s important to teach your child that they’re not the only solution. It’s important to talk to your child about other ways they influence their behavior. This will not only help teach your child that they, not the meds, are accountable for their actions, but will also provide them with a greater feeling of control.

Pay attention to distractions

With television, the internet, phones, tablets, and everyday life, children are inundated with stimuli and possible distractions. As a result, it’s easy and more likely for parents to misjudge distractions for acts for defiance. Parents should take time to identify some of the more common distractions for their children and look for ways to minimize them and avoid conflict.

Start with the basics: While low-dose medication is helpful for some children with ADHD, it's importatn to remember to implement other basic strategies that contribute to health in general, but are essential to symptom improvement in ADHD.

• Sleep: Consistent bed times and quality sleep contribute to brain function in any person, even more so in kids with ADHD. Sleep deprivation or inefficiency results in poor attention, focus, energy, motivation, and emotional regulation.

• Diet: Long before discussions on artificial food chemicals like Red 40, Yellow 5, or Blue 2 came into the ADHD picture, psychiatrists have recommended children with ADHD avoid highly-processed foods, choosing instead foods free from preservatives or additives. Essentially a well-rounded diet with all the necessary nutrients. But don't forget the Omega 3's! Omega 3's are an amazing supplement for children with ADHD.

• Sunlight: Exposure to sunlight may seem like a far out method for addressing health, but in reality, sunlight plays a key role in the health and well-being of all humans, including kids with ADHD. Getting daily morning or evening light to the eyes (safely) during sunrise or sunset positively affects the circadian rhythm, the system that controls sleep and wake cycles. Whether you and your child take a walk with the dog, or go out onto the porch in the morning, ADHD symptoms improve with a healthier circadian rhythm, which is controlled by many things, especially sunlight exposure.

• Exercise: Physical activity releases brain chemicals like adrenaline and dopamine which are crucial for concentration, focus, and attention. Maintaining a consistent workout routine or sport can greatly help children with ADHD manage their symptoms. Exercise also involves doing hard things. Many children and young adults with ADHD excel at sports and exercise. Consistent and challenging exercise can help kids with ADHD in the long-run of their lives, realizing they are indeed capable of accomplishing hard activities.

• Screen Time Limitations: This controversial area is discussed widely today. Whether smart phones or social media are actually causing ADHD remains up for debate. Nevertheless, excessive time use in kids with ADHD without a doubt causes impulsivity, focus and attention deficits, outbursts of anger, and anxiety. It's important we adapt to the systems in place, to give our children the best environment to succeed with their ADHD.

Take the Team Approach

Raising a child with ADHD can be very difficult at times. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, take the time to build a support system for both you and your child. Having the right people in place can help reinforce good behaviors, provide your child with others to turn to, and also provide you as the parent a bit of relief when times get tough.