Helping your child Cope with ADHD

Many things that the average parent takes for granted, you cannot. Parents and caregivers of children with ADHD know the patience and dedication it takes to advocate for their children, especially in a world that often struggles to understand ADHD. When the day finally comes and you receive that ADHD diagnoses, you may feel some relief because now you know that there is a reason your son or daughter struggles in school and with every day tasks.

Now what? how do you help your child navigate their ADHD symptoms? This is the point at which many parents find themselves, they feel stuck. As a parent of a child with ADHD, you worry incessantly about your child's school performance, emotional well-being and especially their self esteem, as these kids attract significant negative attention and daily criticism. Children with ADHD have the potential to succeed academically; however, their difficulties with organization and in completing assignments makes them underachievers. As an experienced child psychologist who has researched this topic, I can assure you that your child CAN learn new behavioural, social and emotional skills and you can help them succeed in school and in developing healthy self-esteem through systemic learning.

Here is an activity you can try with your child to practice decision making and self control:

Children with ADHD often forget the rules and the expectations set out for them by their parents and teachers. Provide your child with possible situation they might find themselves in (e.g., a peer takes know over their toy, you tell them to turn of the video game and they don't want to, they are in class and feeling bored, etc.). Next, ask your child to list possible things they could say and/or do in these situations. Finally, ask them to rate each of these options from 0-5 (0= not a good option; 5= a great option). Go through the decision making process to help them practice this skill.

For more information, book an appointment with one of our clinical practitioners.