Has your young child just been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? Welcome to a very large club! Parenting a child with ADHD presents unique challenges but plenty of opportunities for fun and wonder as well. If you’re wondering where to start, this guest article by Laura Pearson of Edutude presents a few practical, everyday strategies that will support your child’s well-being and help you keep your sanity!
Focus on Routine and Organization
It’s difficult to predict what will help a child with ADHD retain focus. Some kids do better in busy spaces, while others find that triggering and will benefit from quiet. Either way, a home with a strong routine is paramount. That means regular mealtimes, homework times, bedtimes. A child with ADHD often has problems with transitions so always announce changes to routine well ahead of time. “Today, we are going to visit Grandma after school…”
Make Time for Your Child
Prioritizing one-on-one time with a child who has ADHD, especially amidst a busy life, is vital. Setting aside moments for shared activities, like reading together or enjoying outings, provides them with undivided attention and emotional stability. This focused interaction not only strengthens the parent-child bond but also offers a child with ADHD a sense of predictability and calm in their often-chaotic world. Such dedicated time is crucial for their emotional well-being and can significantly aid in managing ADHD symptoms, fostering a nurturing environment for growth and confidence.
Make Your House ADHD-Friendly
Making changes to your home to help your child could be as simple as adding organizational tools or changing room colors. The key is to choose inexpensive, simple options that are easy to incorporate into your home. Tenants might be limited by their leases, in which case it may be advisable to discuss the situation with their landlords. Since it’s for a child’s health concern, many will allow exceptions. And if not, there are hundreds of homes for rent in the Atlanta area alone, so you could perhaps search for an environment more conducive to your family’s well-being.
Visual Aids to Act as Reminders (Think: Posters, Labels, and Signs)
It’s easy for kids with ADHD to become distracted, and visual reminders can be a key to supporting them in embracing routines. Posters, for instance, can be ideal prompts for children with ADHD. Use colors to enhance your designs, making them stand out from the wall, box, or door that you are using them for. If you work from home, a “Do Not Disturb” sign could be helpful on your office door when you’re in meetings, or a reusable “Lunch Box” note can be hung on your child’s backpack storage for school mornings.
Colors for Your Child’s Space
The colors you use to decorate a child’s room can influence their behavior. For a child with ADHD, it’s best to go with colors that soothe or calm (such as blue, green, and earth tones). Minimizing decor is another way to keep things simple and prevent distractions.
You can hang pictures and store things like books and games in other rooms so your child isn’t drawn to them when it is time to go to sleep. When choosing artwork, look for calming scenes such as a portrait of the seaside or a meadow full of flowers.
Keep Things Uncluttered and Orderly
Make sure toys are out of sight and out of mind when appropriate, and provide ample storage with toy boxes and closet organization. Work with your child to come up with a “home” for each toy and item. Whenever they are done playing, make sure the toy always goes back to its rightful place. You can even make a game of decluttering their room. This structure will help keep their area clean and organized while instilling healthy tidying habits in them early.
Other Helpful Considerations
Fabrics should be soft, soothing, or comfortable for your child since many children with ADHD have fabric sensitivity. Keep this in mind when considering bed linens, towels, or even furniture.
If you can, designate their bedroom for sleeping and studying only. Having a separate area for playing is a great way to instill structure in the house.
Another smart tip is limiting the amount of electronics allowed in the room. Video games, television shows, and the internet are all huge distractions that can make it more difficult to sleep. Not only are they a distraction for a child with ADHD, but they also decrease melatonin, keep the brain alert, and disrupt sleep patterns.
When living with a child with ADHD, it’s important to create a lifestyle that fosters organization and focus. This may mean moving your business home, having discussions with your boss or landlord, or even changing houses. Easier options include fresh room colors and poster reminders. Structure and calm in the household will go a long way and will give your child the necessary tools to thrive. Following the suggestions mentioned above will also help you manage your own stress and frustrations while walking your child through this journey… together.
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