Children Growing Up With ADHD/ADD
Children with ADHD/ADD are typically what most people call 'hyperactive'. They are excessively impulsive, destructive, distracted easily, restless and forgetful; can't sit still or listen, they have difficulty organizing and completing task and some have problems sleeping.
All children at some point are overactive and inattentive, but the behaviour of hyperactive children is so extreme and completely disruptive to both themselves and their families.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can continue throughout childhood and adolescence, and often into adulthood.
As each person grows older and naturally matures, some of the symptoms of ADHD change despite the continued presence of the disorder.
Ongoing studies in recent years have extended the length of time researchers now follow children with ADHD. As these children grow into adolescence, many of them continue to have the disorder. It's estimated that ADHD/ADD continues to be present in 65 to 70 percent of adolescents who were diagnosed in childhood.
Why structure is important for ADHD children
Structure gives a child with ADHD symptoms more of a predictable routine in their daily lives. Events that are planned to happen at a certain time gives peace of mind and is habit forming.
Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder need more structure in their daily lives than most children do,
as they are less likely to be stressed, confused and since they can be forgetful, having some form of structure gives them stability and peace of mind, and they eventually begin to learn the routine.
One way to help the child with getting to know their routine is by setting up a poster board on their bedroom door or bedroom wall, that lists each task your child needs to perform, and the order they need to complete it in.
All children at some point are overactive and inattentive, but the behaviour of hyperactive children is so extreme and completely disruptive to both themselves and their families.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can continue throughout childhood and adolescence, and often into adulthood.
As each person grows older and naturally matures, some of the symptoms of ADHD change despite the continued presence of the disorder.
Ongoing studies in recent years have extended the length of time researchers now follow children with ADHD. As these children grow into adolescence, many of them continue to have the disorder. It's estimated that ADHD/ADD continues to be present in 65 to 70 percent of adolescents who were diagnosed in childhood.
Why structure is important for ADHD children
Structure gives a child with ADHD symptoms more of a predictable routine in their daily lives. Events that are planned to happen at a certain time gives peace of mind and is habit forming.
Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder need more structure in their daily lives than most children do,
as they are less likely to be stressed, confused and since they can be forgetful, having some form of structure gives them stability and peace of mind, and they eventually begin to learn the routine.
One way to help the child with getting to know their routine is by setting up a poster board on their bedroom door or bedroom wall, that lists each task your child needs to perform, and the order they need to complete it in.
ADHD Behaviour Chart
Click here for a FREE kids Chart
For children that haven't yet learnt to read, you can supplement pictures instead. Teenagers and adults can have their list typed out and placed on a bulletin board.
Here are a couple of sites that offer a number of behaviour charts that you may find work better for you. These offer free downloads and/or print.
* FREE behaviour charts
* FREE printable behaviour charts
Why rules are also important for ADHD/ADD children
Rules are both important for both parent and child as they inform the child what is expected from him/her and what the consquences will be when they are broken.
Children with ADHD/ADD are frequent rule breakers, not because they don't care about rules, but they forget the rules or just feel like breaking them. Because ADHD children can lack judgement when making a decision they sometimes forget that their actions are unacceptable, so they need to be constantly reminded and have the rules spelled out to them for every 'incorrect' behaviour.
ADHD children are master negotiators, sometimes bringing their parents to the end of their patience with their relentless bargaining. By remaining consistent you will be able to eliminate the opportunity for successful bargaining and negotiations.
When your child begs, bargains, and tries to negotiate, you have the rules to rely on. Rules are Rules!
The rules need to be the same day in and day out so that your child knows what to expect each time he breaks a rule.
When parents are being consistent and are following a set of rules and routines, you do not have to decide each day what rules to enforce and what consequences to give.
For children that haven't yet learnt to read, you can supplement pictures instead. Teenagers and adults can have their list typed out and placed on a bulletin board.
Here are a couple of sites that offer a number of behaviour charts that you may find work better for you. These offer free downloads and/or print.
* FREE behaviour charts
* FREE printable behaviour charts
Why rules are also important for ADHD/ADD children
Rules are both important for both parent and child as they inform the child what is expected from him/her and what the consquences will be when they are broken.
Children with ADHD/ADD are frequent rule breakers, not because they don't care about rules, but they forget the rules or just feel like breaking them. Because ADHD children can lack judgement when making a decision they sometimes forget that their actions are unacceptable, so they need to be constantly reminded and have the rules spelled out to them for every 'incorrect' behaviour.
ADHD children are master negotiators, sometimes bringing their parents to the end of their patience with their relentless bargaining. By remaining consistent you will be able to eliminate the opportunity for successful bargaining and negotiations.
When your child begs, bargains, and tries to negotiate, you have the rules to rely on. Rules are Rules!
The rules need to be the same day in and day out so that your child knows what to expect each time he breaks a rule.
When parents are being consistent and are following a set of rules and routines, you do not have to decide each day what rules to enforce and what consequences to give.