Raising a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be challenging since they have functionally different brains from other children. As such, it is often harder for them to follow normal rules or household routines; this often increases parenting stress. Although mediation may be the first step in your child’s treatment, behavioral techniques must always be in place. Below are guidelines that your ADHD specialist Washington DC recommends to limit destructive behavior and build self-confidence in your child.

Encourage and praise good behavior

Praising children for good behavior or a job well motivates them to do the same thing. While this is important for all children, it is especially essential for children with ADHD since they often receive and expect criticism more than others. There are days when you have to look for good behavior, but ensure that the praise is at least five times more than criticism for bad behavior.

Create a reward system

A reward system is a form of positive reinforcement to help your child improve on certain behaviors. You can create this system by choosing a few tasks that are part of your child’s daily routine and putting them on a chart. Figure out their biggest motivations: toys, a special dessert, or even money. Once you have this in place, reward them each time they perform a task.

Develop routines

Daily chores like getting ready for school or bed can be challenging for a child with ADHD. But you can make this easier by creating a checklist of what needs to be done daily; this makes your child aware of what is expected of them. Since your child may have problems with organization, encourage them to use a daily planner, especially for homework assignments. Establishing a particular time and location where the child does their homework is also best. Use a timer to ask your child to show you their progress with homework at least two times per hour. Brain breaks are important, so consider this when creating a routine.

Establish healthy habits

Healthy habits kike taking medications as prescribed, getting enough sleep, and eating a well-balanced diet help your child feel their best and minimize ADHD symptoms. Ensure your child has an outlet for some form of daily exercise; this helps them channel their energy into something meaningful rather than destructive behaviors. Do not hesitate to contact your child’s healthcare provider if any problems arise.

Help your child build relationships, maintain friendships, and build strong social skills

It might be challenging for a child with ADHD to form or maintain friendships. It could be due to their inability to listen or impulsivity, like blurting out harsh comments. A lack of social skills may not be a serious problem for young children, but as they get older, their social interactions become more complicated.

You can help your child by being a good role model of behavior that you want your child to adopt. If your child is young, take the lead to host play dates or other activities involving kids of the same age.

Contact The Weekend Clinic to talk to your ADHD specialist about more ways to manage a child with ADHD.