10 Tips For Home
This article, brought to you in partnership with The ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity, explores strategies for helping children settle into the home environment, outlining hints and tips including getting into a routine, communication, using reward systems and improving self-esteem.
Briefly and clearly express instructions
Children and young people with ADHD may have difficulty with listening and thinking before they act, find organisational skills challenging and have poor memory. In order for techniques to be effective, instructions therefore need to be simple and clearly communicated.
Acknowledge good behaviour
Ensure that the attention that you give to your child is for the behaviour you want to see more of.
Use specific and descriptive praise
Let your child know what they have specifically done to earn praise. By praising your child their confidence and self-esteem will increase and they will feel valued.
Make time for special time
Structure in regular opportunities to spend with your child to get to know their likes and dislikes. Time together also makes your child feel valued as a person.
Establish a structure and routine
Neurodivergent children need to feel safe and secure in a confusing world. They need to know what is expected of them and what is coming next.
Establish a few simple, very clear rules
It is important to discuss and draw up rules when everything is calm so that it helps to build a structure.
Remain calm to reduce escalation
Staying calm and gently repeating the command (over and over again if required) will help your child stay calm and avoid adding more tension.
Become active in ignoring some behaviours
The more attention you give to annoying, irritating behaviours, such as moaning, pestering and silly noises, the more likely that behaviour will be repeated. Some behaviours can therefore be reduced, if they are actively ignored.
Allow time to calm down
If escalation does occur, the need to calm down is paramount. Children with ADHD will not be able to calm down if you continue to engage with them and it is impossible to reason with someone if they are in a heightened state of anxiety. It is important therefore that time and space is given to allow this calmness to occur.
Use rewards systems
The most effective reward systems are those that are achievable, do not set the child up to fail and avoid money as rewards. Another important point to consider is to be consistent with rewards.
SEN Summer Club
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