Parenting a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can be a challenge. The trouble can seem numerous, and you may feel as if you will never get into settled habits or a fixed structure. The beautiful thing about combatting these tendencies is that structure is exactly what children with ADHD need. Children with ADHD likely struggle with staying focused, completing tasks, and maintaining a daily routine. If you want to make significant strides in managing the symptoms of your child’s ADHD, the best thing to do is build a structured environment for them to thrive in.
How to create structure for a child with ADD?
Parents must establish consistent habits and routines to create a structure for their child with ADHD. This provides a sense of stability and allows for a rhythm to which children with ADHD can adapt.
For example, start with a simple and easy morning routine like the following:
- Waking up at the same time every day.
- Pray or meditate.
- Have breakfast.
- Get dressed.
- Brush teeth.
Consistency helps children with ADHD know what to expect. This tremendously reduces anxiety and helps them stay on track.
Adding visuals can also be a valuable tool, such as using charts or lists written on dry-erase or chalkboards. This is a great way to outline the daily routine of the day. You can also have multiple visuals detailing various tasks or routines appropriate to particular rooms. Depending on which room the child is in and the appropriate chores you want to help them accomplish will help you gauge where they will be most helpful. The visual aids will constantly remind you of what comes next, having your child complete tasks and enter into healthy rhythms without constant verbal reminders.
Short breaks may be incorporated into the schedule. Children with ADHD often benefit from having regular breaks. These are great times to release energy, refocus, or just allot time to mentally wander off.
These breaks can include physical activity like:
- A quick walk.
- Jumping jacks.
- Squats, push-ups, or sit-ups.
- Dancing to their favorite song.
How do I help my child cope with ADD?
Helping kids with ADD cope involves more than just structure. Additional help will certainly be required on the parent’s part, and it will include emotional support and positive reinforcement.
For example, the following strategies may be helpful:
- Praise your child for the completion of tasks, even small ones. This kind of positive reinforcement will boost their confidence, encourage them, and ground them in their habits more steadily and healthily.
- Implement a reward system. This will condition your child to understand that some actions and task completions have consequences, sometimes really good ones, like eating their favorite snack or simply adding to their sticker collection.
Helping your child overcome some of their ADD symptoms may be mentally and physically taxing. As a parent, you should also consider finding help and reprieve in support groups. These groups may offer you a place to share your own experiences, gain advice, find comfort and encouragement in knowing you’re not alone, and ask questions.
How can I help my child focus with ADD?
Helping a child stay focused can be a big challenge, especially when the child has ADHD. To help your children improve their focus, consider the following:
- Create a designated homework or study area. Make it free from distractions, quiet, and equipped with all the supplies your child might need.
- Incorporate short breaks during homework time. This will help prevent mental burnout. Easily adding a 5—to 10-minute break every 30 minutes or so will help your child reset and return to their task with renewed focus. To make it easy, purchase a mechanical timer and leave it in the appropriate space.
- Encourage physical movement during breaks. This helps to release excess energy, improving concentration.
Is routine good for ADD?
Routine is very good for managing the symptoms of ADHD. A consistent routine helps children with ADHD understand what is expected of them. This will reduce their uncertainty, stress, and anxiety throughout the day. These habits will help them in their immediate state and establish lasting habits they can learn to implement on their own one day.
Following the same schedule daily will make your child more likely to complete tasks without resistance. This will also provide a framework for your child to work and operate more efficiently.
How do I organize my child with ADD?
Organizing a child with ADHD begins with a clutter-free environment. If the visual space has too much clutter, this can overwhelm or distract your child.
Labeled bins, drawers, and shelves will help your child organize their space visually. Teaching your child to break down big tasks into smaller, manageable ones will simplify and clarify what needs to be accomplished. Encouraging your child to use planners or checklists will help them one day do these things on their own and increase their independence.
ADD Treatment at Fifth Avenue Psychiatry
At Fifth Ave Psychiatry, we are an expert team of psychologists and psychiatrists who want to see people healed and restored. We understand that this looks different for everyone.
If your child struggles with ADHD, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our outpatient services make our services ideal if you need additional support to help them regain control over their life.
To inquire about the services we offer, call (212) 734-0506.