If your child is living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you may be concerned about how you can help them manage their symptoms and be more comfortable on a daily basis. Luckily for you there are a ton of things you can do to help them. Here are some things you need to know as a parent:
- Schools can be essential: Schools can be a key part of behavioral therapy. Teachers can reinforce the same strategies that you as a parent are using at home to help diagnose children. Using simple punishment methods like “time-out” for bad behavior and acknowledging their positive behavior can be very effective. You can even have teachers send daily report cards that document the child’s behavior for the day.
- Playing can be awarding: It is important that you teach your child skills to get along with other kids, make friends, and learn how to participate in sports and physical activities. These are essential and fundamental skills that are part of behavioral therapy.
- You need training too: When your child is diagnosed with ADHD, you as a parent should find a therapist that will of course help your child, but also give you some strategies to help your child in real life situations. Talk therapy is not the only part of therapy. As a parent, you need to know the best way to handle misbehavior and support good behavior.
- Understand the goal: Remember the goal of treatment is to help your child’s problems in daily life, not to reduce their symptoms of ADHD. It’s more about handling the negative effects of ADHD. Behavioral therapy is meant to help your child respond to daily life challenges at home and at school. It can also teach life-long skills to everyone involved.
Is your child living with ADHD? Contact Segal Institute at 1-877-SEGAL-88 to see if you may qualify for a clinical research study OR visit http://studies.segaltrials.com/request-a-prescreen/
Source: http://www.today.com/health/5-things-every-parent-needs-know-about-adhd-t90421
