5 tips for managing ADHD in children

Does your child have difficulty focusing on an activity or display impulsive behavior? When symptoms are severe enough and cause ongoing problems in more than one area of your child's life, it could be a sign of a neurobehavioral disorder, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.

ADHD is a chronic condition that affects millions of children and often continues into adulthood. ADHD includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.

Children with ADHD also may struggle with low self-esteem, school anxiety, troubled relationships and perform poorly in school. Symptoms sometimes lessen with age. Some people never completely outgrow their ADHD symptoms. However, they can learn strategies to be successful.

ADHD subtypes

• Inattentive ADHD
  Formerly referred to as ADD, people with inattentive ADHD display symptoms of inattention, but do not possess symptoms of hyperactivity or impulsivity.
• Hyperactive/Impulsive ADHD
  This subset of ADHD displays symptoms of impulsivity or hyperactivity but doesn't exhibit symptoms of inattention.
• Combined
  People with combined ADHD display symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. This is the most common subset of ADHD.

Learn more about the three different types of ADHD.

Gender differences with ADHD

ADHD is more commonly diagnosed in boys than girls, but research into ADHD in adulthood suggests an almost equal balance between men and women. A lower diagnosis rate among females in childhood may be because girls with ADHD are more likely than boys to have the inattentive form of ADHD and less likely to show obvious problems.

More than half of children who experience ADHD in childhood continue to have symptoms as adults. Some adults only recognize their ADHD after a child has been diagnosed and begin to see similar behavior in themselves. Some adults seek treatment because their lives spin out of control — financially, at work or at home.

ADHD treatment

While treatment won't cure ADHD, it can help a great deal with symptoms. Treatment typically involves medications and behavioral interventions. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in outcome.

It's also essential to work with a therapist who specializes in ADHD to learn coping mechanisms — beyond medications — that can help with ADHD symptoms and behaviors. A therapist can enhance the effectiveness of the medication and give tools to empower those with ADHD using behavioral, psychological, social, educational and lifestyle interventions.

Behavioral strategies for managing ADHD

Here are five behavioral strategies to help manage your child's ADHD:

1. Give praise and rewards when rules are followed.

Children with ADHD often receive and expect criticism more than other children. This can affect their self-esteem. Some days, you might have to look for good behavior, but you should praise good behavior at least five times more often than you criticize bad behavior.

2. Give practical directions or commands.

Make eye contact or gently touch your child's arm or shoulder to get their attention. Give brief, simple steps and short commands that get to the point rather than multiple directions or wordy statements and questions.

3. Establish healthy habits.

If your child is on medication for ADHD, make sure they take it as prescribed. Contact your child's healthcare team if problems arise. Ensure your child is getting enough sleep, eating a well-balanced diet consisting of three meals, a snack and adequate fluids daily, and has an outlet for some form of daily exercise. These healthy habits will help your child to feel their best and help minimize ADHD symptoms.

4. Develop routines around homework and chores.

Work together to make a checklist of what needs to be done daily for your child to refer to, including such tasks as chores, getting ready for bed and preparing for school. Encourage your child to use a daily planner so they are aware of all homework assignments. Have an established time and location for doing homework, and use a timer to remind your child to show you how the homework is going two to four times per hour. Factor in brain breaks if your child needs them like movement between tasks or using an appropriate fidget.

5. Help your child build relationships, develop strong social skills and maintain friendships.

Be a good role model for the behavior you want your child to use. Factor in some special time three to five days a week with your child that is conflict-free and does not involve a screen to help maintain a solid parent-child relationship. Help your child develop at least one close friendship. With younger children, parents may need to take the lead arranging and hosting play dates or getting kids involved in activities with kids the same age. Get tips for helping your child develop social skills.

Watch this video about managing ADHD in children:

Amanda Logan is a nurse practitioner in Family Medicine in Waseca, Minnesota.