Now that you and your ADHD-diagnosed student have settled into the new school year routine, you may notice your child showing signs of social anxiety. For many ADHD students, sudden change, like a new school, new teachers, and unfamiliar classmates can trigger shyness and social nervousness.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, the brains of ADHD-diagnosed children develop at a slower rate than those not diagnosed with ADHD. This can lead to a delay in the development of social skills, which may cause ADHD-diagnosed children to act silly, immature, and fidgety in social situations making it harder to make new friendships. This in turn causes anxiety, leading to lack of confidence when interacting with others.
As a parent, there are many things you can do to help your child build confidence and self-esteem.
Positive Feedback. Sometimes just simple words of encouragement can work wonders. Praise your child’s positive behavior instead of focusing on problems. ADHD children may struggle with academics or with following rules, but it’s important to find something positive everyday. Sometimes, something as simple as bringing in a homework coach to help complete assignments can boost your child’s confidence in academics and that confidence will be reflected in his social life.
Encourage Your Child to Join Groups or Clubs. Have a conversation about your child’s likes and interests. See if his school has any clubs where he can interact with children who like the same things. This can help your child to overcome awkwardness because he knows he belongs to a group where all the children like the things he likes.
Keep Yourself Informed. Talk to your child’s teacher or other parents in your child’s class. Is there something going on? Are there any behavioral issues that you need to address? The more you know about a situation, the easier it is to address any issues that arise.
As a parent, do you have any tips for dealing with lack of confidence or self-esteem in social situations? We would love to hear your feedback!
Have more questions about social anxiety? Find more information here.
