5 Tips to communicate with ADHD children
Isn’t it natural for kids to get cranky and irritable if you take away their favorite toys? Or, simply ask them to leave the play, especially when they are engaged in activities they enjoy.
The reaction is a little different in ADHD children. A normal child may show tantrums for a while, whine, or cry over something but the next moment engages himself in other activities. Whereas ADHD children find it difficult to get over the things they like, they get overly engrossed and don’t follow the instructions given to them. For example, the ADHD kid can play with interlocking blocks for hours on end if left to himself. Children with ADHD disorder may not like having to adapt to limits on their behavior. When directed or pressurized to behave in certain ways, children may feel uncomfortable, and this discomfort makes ADHD behavior more likely.
Also Read: Understanding ADHD: Does Your Child Have ADHD?
So, how do you establish ways of interacting that are comfortable for both of you? How do you get your child to cooperate with you? How can you make him understand things so that he follows your instructions when needed? Here are few tips.
5 Tips to effectively communicate with ADHD children –
Minimize distractions:
You would be surprised to know that even strong odor or lights can distract ADHD children. Now, guess their level of distraction! It’s very difficult for them to remain focused. At times, you may lose your temper and get furious over your kid not paying attention to what you are saying. But, please understand that your kids’ behavior is unintentional. So, when you want to communicate with your kid, make sure the TV or music system is turned off. Don’t carry on conversations with other people at the same time. Once you have your child’s attention, get on your knees on to his level, make eye contact, and then talk.
Also Read: ADHD diet tips
Ask questions instead of making statements:
To ensure the child heard you, ask her or him to repeat what you said. Also, engage them in conversation by asking questions. For example, when it’s bed time you might say, “It’s time to sleep. Which pyjama do you want to wear tonight – white or blue?” This forces a child to stop, think, and make a decision. You can also use visual cues to indicate what you want or need your child to do. For example, when it’s time to sleep, show them a picture of a bed and ask ‘What is it?’ ‘What is it used for’ and then say ‘Shall we go to sleep?’Give them short and simple directions:
If you want your kid to follow some instructions, make sure that you don’t use jargons and keep it simple. ADHD children have trouble paying attention and remembering things. Therefore, give them step-by-step instructions. Let them finish a task at hand and then move on to the next step.Praise them at each step:
It has been observed through several studies that ADHD in children can lead to poor self-esteem issues. Having a negative self-image can lead to lack of confidence, which in turn may result in acting out and disciplinary action at school in later life. Therefore, it is necessary for you as a parent to boost your child’s moral. Praise them on completing even smaller tasks or following your instructions properly. This will help build their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment.
Also Read: Helping Children with ADHD in School
Stay calm and talk softly:
While we understand that it is not that easy to deal with ADHD children, raising your voice can only stimulate your child. This is just the opposite of what you want to achieve. Especially if the child is misbehaving to seek attention, your emotional response can promote further unwanted behavior. Extra attention should only be a consequence of his good behavior. This will give him a message that his behavior is not acceptable and you are not happy about it.
No matter how much your child’s world is spinning out of control, as a parent, you need to show them that you’re the ‘rock-solid support system’ for them. If you need some support or help, we are there to help you deal with your child effectively.
At Dr Batra’s, we have a team of doctors, including senior pediatricians, who work extensively for treating ADHD in children. Our ADHD treatment includes understanding the root causes of ADHD and identifying triggering factors for your child. Based on the diagnosis, doctors suggest customized natural homeopathic medicines for ADHD which not only reduce restlessness, impatience, and aggression but improves the overall quality of life.
If you have any doubt or questions regarding ADHD, speak with our experts on 9033991642 or book an appointment online: https://www.drbatras.com/book-an-appointment
