ADHD / ADD Support Group
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD) are more common than you might think. It is a syndrome that exhibits symptoms such as hyperactivity, forgetfulness, mood shifts, poor impulse control, and distractibility. Join others who suffer from these conditions and share your experiences.
1. Teach skills. Some posts have parents nagging their kids about assignments, or organizing the work for them. The real goal is not getting the history assignment done on time, but developing the skills to note deadlines in a book or other format, check for deadlines, and complete work.
2. Use the tool that works for him Data can be collected in Outlook, on a cellphone, or in a notebook or daytimer. There are many effective tools so let your child select and use a tool that works for him. One site said it well,
Consider your childs personality. Does he remember things unprompted? Does she need to see something to remember? Where is the best place to place a reminder? Think sticky notes. Is a verbal reminder better? Ask your child what would help them. www.essortment.com
3. Compliment Sandwich Imagine commenting about a womans weight and then expecting a favorable response to what follows. Criticism will reduce the effectiveness of your message. Instead, begin and end your message with a compliment, and try to reduce its negative impact. Not insincere comments.
Remember too that ADHD people have limited listening skills. After the compliments to get attention, you had better get your point out clearly, and quickly.
4. Discuss the benefits of good organization. Why do I need to learn math or science children sometimes ask. Explain the importance of good organization. You will be spending about 10 hours on the social studies project. You can do it on time and get an A or B, or hand it in 2 days late, have the teacher mad at you and get a C or D for the same work. It will reduce stress.
5. Emotional and school problems Problems with popularity and bullying may mask themselves as organizational or learning problems. In a delicate fashion, try to understand if something is bothering your child. ADD children may have social issues as they may not listen to other children or want to play the games others like. Work on developing good social skills, such as listening, cooperation and empathy. Teach your child to do things others like and be part of the group.
6. Limit Stress Stress will aggravate organizational problems and problems like ADD. Try to avoid marital or post-divorce stress in front of your child.
7. Gently Monitor Your childs success and motivation are his own. You want to periodically child work, but do it in a pleasant and positive way. A group of kindergarteners were left some markers in a test. One group was given rewards for best project and work done, and the other nothing. Guess which group did more artwork- the group which received nothing. The nothing group did the artwork because it was fun, while the other group did less because it was perceived as work.
8. Accurately Estimate or Overestimate Potential Problems
Its 9:00 the day before your project is due and the convenience store does not have the colored markers or construction paper you need. Teach your child to expect problems and delays, and leave added time to anticipate them. Asking people for help and advising them of problems before a deadline is always better than after.
9. Material can be Learned in Different Ways. In algebra, the material can be learned from the book or lectures. Some like me are less auditory and learn more from books. Teach your child different ways to learn material, but note that he will spend more time on schoolwork if he uses his time at home to do things that were taught in class.
10. Keep Material in the Same Place and Develop Procedures. Losing papers is a serious problem for those with ADD. Developing routines and keeping books and papers in the same place can reduce that. Again though, your child needs to develop the skill not have you do it for him.
11. Recognize each child is unique While you want your child to be successful, recognize there are different skills and people; Michael Phelps became a champion swimmer with ADD. Let your child use his skills to make his mark. Tell your child you love him and dont let failures in one course make your entire relationship unpleasant. Be careful of hurtful comparisons to other children.
12. Have parents be a non-stressful resource and source of support Your child will make mistakes and get bad grades. Ideally you want to use that incident as a way of changing patterns.
13. Let your child do ADD type things in your spare-time In my job, I keep a daily list of things to do, and comprehensive list of pending projects. Outside of work, I enjoy doing multiple things and in leisure doing what it feels right. I take 4 books to a beach, and may see 4 movies at a time. (maybe its not ADD movies are just lousy).
14. Recognize gender differences More boys and men have ADD and some behavior is characteristically male. Women seem better organized, and seem to enjoy multiple item tasks such as planning a trip or wedding. The Frank Sinatra I Did it My Way tends to a male-oriented trade
15. Dont be Afraid to Change Teachers But Make Sure that is the Problem
Some teachers are better than others, and if possible, you want to get your child the teacher who can make the course interesting and rewarding. However, dont be the parent who blames the teacher for delivering an accurate assessment of your childs abilities and deficiencies. Be involved with your childs teachers in a collaborative way,
and generally utilize his teachers knowledge and observations. Asking for a teacher who is the best fit is an effective way of asking for the teacher you want.
16. Work on neatness Sloppiness in a room may allow papers to be lost. Work on neatness and organization at home. Work on accomplishing your goal in a manner your child likes. Would you like particular cabinets, storage areas or other things to help keep the room neat and organized.
17. Organization Tools Numbers, Colors and Letters Consider numbered or colored dividers, visual cues, and other tools to improve organization.
18. Books and Seminars Developing organizations skills can be the most important thing your child does, for it can impact every subject, and the work he will later do. Read books, consult experts, and speak with teachers to improve your overall understanding and the particular issues your child faces.
19. Time and Place Gender habits can play a role, and women may want to talk about things to do in various locations. If your child is using a computer and he does not have it with him, the discussion accomplishes little. Practice the same type of good organization you expect.
2. Use the tool that works for him Data can be collected in Outlook, on a cellphone, or in a notebook or daytimer. There are many effective tools so let your child select and use a tool that works for him. One site said it well,
Consider your childs personality. Does he remember things unprompted? Does she need to see something to remember? Where is the best place to place a reminder? Think sticky notes. Is a verbal reminder better? Ask your child what would help them. www.essortment.com
3. Compliment Sandwich Imagine commenting about a womans weight and then expecting a favorable response to what follows. Criticism will reduce the effectiveness of your message. Instead, begin and end your message with a compliment, and try to reduce its negative impact. Not insincere comments.
Remember too that ADHD people have limited listening skills. After the compliments to get attention, you had better get your point out clearly, and quickly.
4. Discuss the benefits of good organization. Why do I need to learn math or science children sometimes ask. Explain the importance of good organization. You will be spending about 10 hours on the social studies project. You can do it on time and get an A or B, or hand it in 2 days late, have the teacher mad at you and get a C or D for the same work. It will reduce stress.
5. Emotional and school problems Problems with popularity and bullying may mask themselves as organizational or learning problems. In a delicate fashion, try to understand if something is bothering your child. ADD children may have social issues as they may not listen to other children or want to play the games others like. Work on developing good social skills, such as listening, cooperation and empathy. Teach your child to do things others like and be part of the group.
6. Limit Stress Stress will aggravate organizational problems and problems like ADD. Try to avoid marital or post-divorce stress in front of your child.
7. Gently Monitor Your childs success and motivation are his own. You want to periodically child work, but do it in a pleasant and positive way. A group of kindergarteners were left some markers in a test. One group was given rewards for best project and work done, and the other nothing. Guess which group did more artwork- the group which received nothing. The nothing group did the artwork because it was fun, while the other group did less because it was perceived as work.
8. Accurately Estimate or Overestimate Potential Problems
Its 9:00 the day before your project is due and the convenience store does not have the colored markers or construction paper you need. Teach your child to expect problems and delays, and leave added time to anticipate them. Asking people for help and advising them of problems before a deadline is always better than after.
9. Material can be Learned in Different Ways. In algebra, the material can be learned from the book or lectures. Some like me are less auditory and learn more from books. Teach your child different ways to learn material, but note that he will spend more time on schoolwork if he uses his time at home to do things that were taught in class.
10. Keep Material in the Same Place and Develop Procedures. Losing papers is a serious problem for those with ADD. Developing routines and keeping books and papers in the same place can reduce that. Again though, your child needs to develop the skill not have you do it for him.
11. Recognize each child is unique While you want your child to be successful, recognize there are different skills and people; Michael Phelps became a champion swimmer with ADD. Let your child use his skills to make his mark. Tell your child you love him and dont let failures in one course make your entire relationship unpleasant. Be careful of hurtful comparisons to other children.
12. Have parents be a non-stressful resource and source of support Your child will make mistakes and get bad grades. Ideally you want to use that incident as a way of changing patterns.
13. Let your child do ADD type things in your spare-time In my job, I keep a daily list of things to do, and comprehensive list of pending projects. Outside of work, I enjoy doing multiple things and in leisure doing what it feels right. I take 4 books to a beach, and may see 4 movies at a time. (maybe its not ADD movies are just lousy).
14. Recognize gender differences More boys and men have ADD and some behavior is characteristically male. Women seem better organized, and seem to enjoy multiple item tasks such as planning a trip or wedding. The Frank Sinatra I Did it My Way tends to a male-oriented trade
15. Dont be Afraid to Change Teachers But Make Sure that is the Problem
Some teachers are better than others, and if possible, you want to get your child the teacher who can make the course interesting and rewarding. However, dont be the parent who blames the teacher for delivering an accurate assessment of your childs abilities and deficiencies. Be involved with your childs teachers in a collaborative way,
and generally utilize his teachers knowledge and observations. Asking for a teacher who is the best fit is an effective way of asking for the teacher you want.
16. Work on neatness Sloppiness in a room may allow papers to be lost. Work on neatness and organization at home. Work on accomplishing your goal in a manner your child likes. Would you like particular cabinets, storage areas or other things to help keep the room neat and organized.
17. Organization Tools Numbers, Colors and Letters Consider numbered or colored dividers, visual cues, and other tools to improve organization.
18. Books and Seminars Developing organizations skills can be the most important thing your child does, for it can impact every subject, and the work he will later do. Read books, consult experts, and speak with teachers to improve your overall understanding and the particular issues your child faces.
19. Time and Place Gender habits can play a role, and women may want to talk about things to do in various locations. If your child is using a computer and he does not have it with him, the discussion accomplishes little. Practice the same type of good organization you expect.
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