ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a mental disorder that affects children and many adults. ADHD impacts regions of the brain that control attention and impulsivity and help people identify and control emotions. Children with ADHD struggle to regulate their emotions and can get in the way of their everyday life. Let’s delve into the ADHD parental help skills that can assist children in navigating their feelings.
Table of Contents
Ways to Control and Manage Emotions
Emotions are reactions to the environment around us, and we can respond positively, neutrally, or negatively. Parents of ADHD children have to learn skills to help their children grow happily and work with their condition.
The first thing parents should understand is what children with ADHD go through. Keep a list of the triggers that cause them to flare up, get frustrated, anxious, or sad.
Guide your child with ADHD to manage their feelings by talking about your emotions freely. This way, they understand their situation better. Acknowledge how they feel and show them you know why they feel that way.
Behavioral programs are good tools for educating children with ADHD. Direct therapy helps them identify emotions first and build coping skills. Parents can learn to validate their children’s feelings while still managing unwanted behaviors.
Provide coping strategies by teaching your child to meditate, do yoga, dance, or listen to music. They can also draw pictures, hold their favorite teddy bear or take a break. When your child calms down, you can discuss with them how to manage their emotions.
At home, set house rules for behavior. Let your child know, in advance, the consequences of breaking the rules. Guide them by strictly following the set rules to be their role model.
Teach your child with ADHD how to apologize when they have made a mistake. Let them learn how to reflect on their actions by taking responsibility and avoiding the same mistakes in the future.
Coping with School Work
Parents should also help their child learn to avoid getting frustrated when at school. Provide a plan for handling problem situations. For example, you can write a social story addressing problem situations. Give praise when they show emotional control.
A whole page of word problems can overwhelm an ADHD scholar. Help your child out by breaking the homework down to a few tasks. You can provide your child with some breaks in between each task.
When kids with ADHD struggle with their feelings, it may seem like there is no way to get them back on track. It’s important to get help if situations like physical aggression get out of control.
When is ADHD Parental Help Required?
The following symptoms or behaviors should alert you that all is not well. Seek medical attention for diagnosis if you notice your child is:
- Quickly getting angry over minor annoyances
- Throwing temper tantrums
- Becoming hyper-focused on something like video games
- Jumping carelessly and hurting themselves
- Shouting hurtful blasts to another child carelessly
- Easily irritable and argumentative
- Fearing being separated from parents
- Withdrawing from people
- Developing mood swings
- Becoming anxious
- Getting depressed
- Having trouble with apologizing
- Lying frequently
As a parent, be an emotional role model to your child with ADHD and help create a supportive environment for happy growth.
Action to Take in a Dire Situation
ADHD parenting can be an arduous task. But you can gain control of the situation and learn to define your child by their gifts, not struggles. Start gaining a positive view of your child’s ADHD and reveal the gifts within the challenges.
Are you a parent of a child with ADHD and facing the challenges associated with this condition? Contact a service that provides ADHD parental help for more information. You will obtain the practical tools you require to help transform your child’s life.
