Supporting Your ADHD Child

By Ho Shee Wai

Clinical Director/Registered Psychologist

Supporting Your ADHD Child

Does your child have ADHD? Are you struggling to know how best to manage and support your child? Understand and learn how to interact and work with your ADHD child.

Often, we jest that a child is hyperactive or is ADHD. When we do encounter a child with ADHD, we realize that we need tools in order to know how best to interact, manage, support, and work with a child who has an ADHD diagnosis.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is short of Attention Deficit & Hyperactivity Disorder. While we frequently speak of it as 1 disorder, three kinds (presentations) of ADHD can occur:

• Combined Presentation (symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity)

• Predominantly Inattentive Presentation (only symptoms of inattention, but not hyperactivity-impulsivity)Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation (only symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity, but not inattention)

Some symptoms of Hyperactive-Impulsive presentation include:

• Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat.

• Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected.

• Often runs about or climbs in situations where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may be limited to feeling restless).

• Often unable to play or take part in leisure activities quietly.

• Is often “on the go” acting as if “driven by a motor”.

• Often talks excessively.

• Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed.

• Often has trouble waiting their turn.

• Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games)

Some symptoms of Inattentive presentation include:

• Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or with other activities.

• Often has trouble holding attention on tasks or play activities.

• Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.

• Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (e.g., loses focus, side-tracked).

• Often has trouble organizing tasks and activities.

• Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to do tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).

• Often loses things necessary for tasks and activities (e.g. school materials, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, mobile telephones).

• Is often easily distracted

• Is often forgetful in daily activities.

What is the cause(s) and effect(s) of ADHD?

Cause(s) of ADHD

The cause(s) and risk factors for ADHD are unknown, but current research shows that genetics plays an important role. Therefore, if your child has ADHD, it is likely that one or both of the parents also have ADHD, regardless whether they have been diagnosed.

Effect(s) of ADHD

ADHD affects executive functioning – the cognitive abilities needed to achieve goals. A person with ADHD may have trouble organizing, remembering instructions, staying on track, and following through with a task. These are signs of executive dysfunction, in which the brain struggles with memory, attention, and self-regulation. This has impact on your child’s learning and behaviours. Read more about ADHD & Executive Functions in our other blog. 

ADHD may affect the child’s emotional well-being in several ways, including feelings of anxiety, lower self-esteem, poorer psychosocial health, and poorer overall quality of life.  Co-occurring disorders like depression and anxiety may compound the emotional impact of ADHD. When people with ADHD have trouble managing their emotions, it can show up in different ways. Some have trouble putting the brakes on their feelings when they're angry or stressed. Others struggle to get revved up to do something when they're feeling bored. 

ADHD may also affect the child’s social interactions, i.e., relationship with the parents, siblings, peers, and teachers, etc.  they may have a hard time sharing, taking turns, listening, and picking up on social cues.

What can you do to help support your ADHD child?

Caring for a child with ADHD can be challenging. The impulsive, fearless and chaotic behaviours typical of ADHD can make everyday activities exhausting and stressful for you as a parent.  Although it can be difficult at times, it's important to remember that a child with ADHD cannot help their behaviour. People with ADHD can find it difficult to suppress impulses, which means they may not stop to consider a situation, or the consequences, before they act.

Be involved

Learn about all about ADHD and know how ADHD impacts your child specifically.

Break things down

If you're asking your child to do something, give brief and specific instructions. Focus on teaching your child 1 thing at a time instead of overwhelming them.

Set clear boundaries

Make sure everyone in the family knows what behaviour is expected, and reinforce positive behaviour with immediate praise or rewards. Be clear, using enforceable consequences, such as taking away a privilege, if boundaries are overstepped and follow these through consistently.

Work with school

Work with your child’s school to understand what accommodation they are making for your child’s learning success. If you child has yet to receive a formal diagnosis, ensure that they have undergone proper psychological assessment in order for your child to receive the resources and support they may need.

Intervene early

Watch for warning signs. If your child looks like they're becoming frustrated, overstimulated and about to lose self-control, intervene. Distract your child, if possible, by taking them away from the situation. This may calm them down. Learn specific strategies and skills to manage your child’s various behavioural issues.

Get the right treatment

Ensure you have the appropriate regular medication for your child. This may be more difficult to monitor if your child has entered into teens and is responsible for their own medication. Other treatment options include Cogmed training, behaviours coaching, and counselling for your child.

Watch your child’s diet

Observe and find out what food impacts your child’s behaviours. In addition to additive or caffeine, not many parents are aware that some food may worsen ADHD symptoms.  Some of the common foods that can cause ADHD reactions include milk, chocolate, soy, wheat, eggs, beans, corn, tomatoes, grapes, and oranges.

Support for yourself

In the busyness of caring for your child, many parents neglect to pay attention to their own need. Get support from family, friends, and support group to know that you are not in this journey alone. Seek professional counselling help from a Psychologist, Counsellor, or Psychotherapist not only to learn skills and strategies to manage your child’s behaviours but as emotional support for yourself.

Book a session with our parenting coaches who are professional psychologists, counsellors, or psychotherapists trained in the area of dealing with your child ADHD.