Parenting a child with ADHD is a unique experience. Here are a set of tips and strategies for parents to try when helping a child with ADHD.

Raising a child with ADHD can be challenging. Depending on the type and severity of your child’s symptoms, knowing the best way to establish rule-making and household routines can be difficult, and you may need to adopt unique approaches.

Behavioral modification aims to help your child consider the consequences of an action and learn to control the impulse to act on it. Approaching the task with empathy, patience, and consistency can help your child reach these goals.

Read on for strategies for parenting a child with ADHD.

It’s important to teach your childTrusted Source that actions have consequences. Establishing rules and clear outcomes for following or disregarding these rules is essential. Try consistently following these principles or rules in each area of your child’s life — at home, in the classroom, and in the social arena.

You may accomplish this by using a points system. For example, allow your child to accrue points for good behavior that they can redeem for spending money, time in front of the TV, or a new video game.

Once you have a list of simple behavior goals or house rules, write them down and put them where they’re easy to see. Repetition and positive reinforcement can help your child better understand your rules.

It’s important to discuss these goals and expectations for your child with other caregivers and teachers to help ensure consistency in different settings and with different caregivers.

Rules must be simple and straightforward, and you could reward your child for following them. It’s important to consistently reward good behaviors and discourage destructive ones while allowing for some flexibility.

Children with ADHD may not adapt as quickly to change. It’s good to allow your child to make mistakes as they learn. Behaviors that aren’t detrimental to your child or anyone else are a part of your child’s unique personality. It may be harmful to discourage a child’s quirky behaviors just because they seem unusual.

Finding additional resources

These organizations offer information and assistance for individuals with ADHD and their families:

Children with ADHD may sometimes have aggressive outbursts. “Time-out” is one effective way to calm both you and your child.

If your child acts out in public, if possible, remove them from the situation calmly and decisively. You can explain “time-out” as a period to cool off and think about their behavior. You may ignore mildly disruptive behaviors as a way for your child to release their pent-up energy.

However, you may decide to address behavior that’s destructive, abusive, or intentionally disruptive and goes against the rules you established. You may decide that these behaviors need a consequence.

Make a routine for your child and stick to it every day. You could establish rituals around meals, homework, playtime, and bedtime. Simple daily tasks, such as having your child lay out their clothes for the next day, can provide essential structure.

Consider using a large wall calendar to remind your child of their duties. Color-coding chores and homework may help keep your child from becoming overwhelmed with everyday tasks and school assignments. For example, you can help your child break morning routines into individual tasks.

Create a special, quiet space for your child to read, do homework, and take a break from the chaos of everyday life. Try to keep your home neat and organized so that your child knows where everything goes. This can help reduce unnecessary distractions.

Children with ADHD may be easily distracted by things like television, video games, and computers. Distractions like these may encourage impulsive behavior, so you might consider limiting them where possible. Decreasing time with electronics and increasing time doing engaging activities outside the home can help provide your child with an outlet for built-up energy.

Physical activity burns excess energy in healthy ways. It can also help your child focus on specific movements and may decrease impulsivity.

Exercise may also help improve concentration, decrease the risk of depression and anxiety, and stimulate the brain in healthy ways.

Many professional athletes have ADHD. Research suggests athletics may help a child with ADHD find a constructive way to focus their passion, attention, and energy.

Bedtime may be especially difficult for children with ADHD. Lack of sleep exacerbates inattention, hyperactivity, and recklessness.

Helping your child sleep better is important. A part of this may include establishing a healthy, calming bedtime ritual. To help them get better rest, consider removing stimulants like sugar and caffeine and decrease screen time.

Children with ADHD can lack self-control. This causes them to speak and act before thinking. Ask your child to verbalize their thoughts and reasoning when the urge to act out arises.

Understanding your child’s thought process can help them learn to curb impulsive behaviors.

Another way to control the impulse to speak before thinking is to teach your child how to pause a moment before talking or replying.

You could encourage more thoughtful responses. For example, helping your child with homework assignments and asking interactive questions about a favorite television show or book.

It’s important to remain positive and encouraging. Your child likely doesn’t understand that you may feel stressed sometimes, too.

Praise your child’s good behavior so they know when they did something right. Your child may have difficulty with some behaviors, but letting them know that you have confidence in them can help them feel more positive about their progress and ability to succeed.

You can’t do it all. Your child needs your encouragement, but they may also need professional help. You might consider finding a therapist to work with your child and provide another source of support.

It’s easy to focus on your child’s needs, but it’s also essential to take care of yourself. Having a therapist can help you manage your stress and anxiety as well.

Finding a local support group for parents of children with ADHD may also help.

You can’t be supportive 100% of the time. All parents become overwhelmed or frustrated sometimes. Just as your child needs to take breaks while studying, you need your own breaks too.

Scheduling alone time is essential for any parent. Consider hiring a babysitter so you can do things to take care of yourself, like:

  • going for a walk
  • going to the gym
  • taking a relaxing bath
  • calling or visiting a friend

You can’t help an impulsive child if you’re aggravated.

Children mimic the behaviors they see around them, so if you try to remain composed during an outburst, it will help your child learn how to do the same.

Take time to breathe, relax, and collect your thoughts before attempting to redirect your child. The calmer you are, the calmer your child will become.

Be willing to compromise with your child. If your child has accomplished two of the three chores you assigned, consider being flexible with the third, uncompleted task.

It’s a learning process, and even small steps count.

Parenting a child with ADHD may take a bit more planning, but there are ways to approach parenting that help your child feel better and help you create the home you want for them.

You’re the parent, and ultimately, you establish the rules for acceptable behavior in your home. With patience and nurturing, you can work with your child to help them learn new behavior patterns and feel confident in themselves.