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!