 Giving
Credit Where Credit is Due for the ADHD Child
Even when
your ADHD child does succeed, kids and adults with ADHD tend
to be very hard on themselves. That’s why children with
ADHD need a lot of encouragement. Otherwise your child might
think his or her accomplishments were the result of luck,
as people with ADHD have a tough time connecting their work
to results. Therefore, ADHD children do not easily see the
fruits of their labor. This may be one of many reasons why
ADHD and homework do not
seem to complement each other very well.
As a parent,
you can establish a foundation of support and admiration for
your child. The following are some ways you can build your
ADHD child up to be a confident adult:
- Try a system of immediate
rewards. The ADHD brain is not wired to understand that
rewards take time. For example, if you want to give your
child an allowance for chores, make it a daily allowance
instead of a weekly allowance, such as $2 a day instead
of $14 a week.
- Remind your children
often that they succeed because they work hard. Make a
direct connection between the child and the accomplishment.
Many typical activities at a good ADHD
summer camp are designed to provide opportunities
for a child to feel a sense of accomplishment.
- Find something to compliment
your child about every day. Tell your child that he or
she is funny, smart, talented, energetic, etc. Say things
like, “No one makes me laugh the way you do.”
Another idea is to ask your child for advice on a situation,
and then later, show your child how the advice helped
you.
Your
ADHD child is special and unique. Remind your child that he
or she has a purpose in this world, and offer all the praise
you can to reinforce this idea. Children with a sense of purpose
are bound to succeed at whatever they try!
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