6 Tips For Helping A Child With ADHD

Caring for a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be challenging. Children with ADHD sometimes require extra support in the classroom, at home, and in other areas of everyday life, in addition to ADHD treatment. It’s often helpful to create and maintain a schedule, exercise together, limit screen time, and have open communication with your child’s teacher. You may also benefit from working with a licensed therapist to discuss parenting strategies and work through any challenges that may be impacting your own mental health.

Signs of ADHD in kids

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be defined as a neurological disorder that affects millions of children and adults across the world. It can impact the way an individual functions, learns, and communicates, which means that working with kids who have ADHD may require a slightly different approach.

Common signs and symptoms of ADHD in children typically fall into categories that include the following:

• Inattention: Having an inability to pay attention, making careless mistakes, appearing not to listen, being easily distractible, difficulty maintaining eye contact

• Hyperactivity: Fidgeting, having a hard time sitting still even when instructed to do so, excessive talking, seeming to be in a state of constant motion

• Impulsivity: Impulsive behavior such as frequently interrupting during conversation or activities, blurting out answers during class, struggling to wait one’s turn, emotional outbursts

These signs of ADHD in children can range in severity and frequency. The type of symptoms a child experiences usually reflects which subtype of ADHD they are experiencing.

• Predominantly inattentive ADHD subtype: Most symptoms tend to be related to inattention and distractibility. A child with this subtype may seem to always have their “head in the clouds.” 

• Predominantly hyperactive or impulsive ADHD subtype: Most symptoms tend to be related to hyperactivity or impulsivity. 

• Combined ADHD subtype: This subtype, which is typically the most common, generally involves a combination of inattentive and hyperactive symptoms.

Sometimes, the first step toward helping a child with ADHD can be understanding how their behaviors and symptoms manifest themselves. It may mean the difference between responding to challenges in a productive way and viewing them as frustrating or upsetting.

Six ways to support kids with ADHD

ADHD can make it difficult for a child to do things like concentrate, communicate emotions, or form new relationships. In addition to their ADHD treatment, there are a few ways you can assist your child in managing ADHD symptoms.

1. Create a schedule

Children with ADHD often have a hard time with time management, organizational, and executive functioning skills. These differences can affect a child’s ability to understand how to navigate the steps of completing tasks or a routine. You may make things easier for your child by creating a schedule and helping them maintain it.

This can be as simple as setting alarms on your phone and reminding your child what time it is and what the planned activity is. Some parents also choose to keep their children involved and incorporate fun activities. Creating a chore chart or another visual representation of your child’s schedule can make them participate in a way that can be stimulating and rewarding.

2. Exercise together

Common symptoms of ADHD in children can include restlessness and excessive energy, which may be lessened with regular physical activity. Exercise may affect the brain in a way that is similar to stimulant ADHD medications, which are often used to treat ADHD symptoms.

Consider taking a walk around the block, riding bikes, roller skating, or playing tag in the yard with your child. Team sports and activities can be great options as well, especially if you’d like to give your child the chance to work on social development, too.

Anything you can think of that encourages your child to move their body may release some of their excess energy. In turn, your child may see a reduction in the frequency or intensity of more disruptive symptoms, like an inability to sit still or pay attention.

3. Limit screen time

Many children who live with ADHD may be prone to overstimulation, and few things can be as stimulating to the brain as technology, like smartphones and tablets. Too much screen time can be linked sleep problems, behavioral problems, and impaired academic performance, even for children who do not have ADHD.

Therefore, it can be crucial to keep an eye on your child’s screen time, particularly during the evening hours. The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry generally recommends one hour of screen time on weekdays and a maximum of three hours per day on weekends.

4. Keep communication open at school

You and your family may be familiar with some of the things that benefit your child to function at their best, but your child’s educators may also need to know how to effectively support them. Each child’s experience with ADHD tends to be different. What their teacher may know about accommodating another student may offer no assistance to your child.

Because of this, it can be beneficial to always keep a line of communication open between yourself and your child’s teacher. Whether through official accommodations or a simple conversation about how to work with your child, providing some guidance can go a long way.

If your child tends to pay attention and listen more consistently when allowed to fidget or stand up, for example, working with a teacher to find ways to make these needs available in the classroom can keep everyone involved.

5. Get the whole family involved

The age-old adage, "It takes a village to raise a child," may not ring truer than when it comes to learning how to assist your child with ADHD. Both for the sake of consistency and your own personal well-being, ensuring that others in your child’s life know how to assist them can be important.

Be sure that your friends and family members are up to date regarding your child’s schedule or routine, their needs, and how to support them in overcoming challenges that may present themselves. 

Additionally, don't be afraid to reach out to a loved one if you are feeling overwhelmed and just need an ear or some advice. There is no shame in feeling exhausted or underprepared. Parenting doesn't usually come with a handbook, and even the most ferociously dedicated parents may find it challenging to support children with ADHD. 

6. Seek help from a professional

Therapy, more specifically behavior therapy, is an important and effective part of treatment for childhood ADHD. Experts recommend parent training in behavior therapy for parents of younger children (younger than 12 years old). Behavior therapy can support parents of children with ADHD learn strategies to support their child with behavior management. For example, parents may learn techniques to support their child in managing inappropriate behavior, such as yelling, throwing things, or hitting when frustrated. Behavior therapy for older children helps them recognize their symptoms and learn helpful coping mechanisms to manage their behavior. Your child’s therapist may prescribe medication as a concurrent treatment to behavioral therapy sessions. 

If you’d like additional guidance that may help you manage your child’s behavior or need mental health-related assistance yourself, consider reaching out to a licensed professional.

Online therapy can be an easy way to seek mental healthcare, no matter where you are. As a parent, it can be tricky to find time to visit an in-person office. With online therapy, you can attend sessions from home or any other location with an internet connection at a time that fits your schedule. 

Online therapy can be beneficial, regardless of whether you experience ADHD yourself. A 2022 study found that online intervention may be a beneficial option for reducing symptoms of ADHD, particularly those related to attention and social function.