Parenting a Child with Add/Adhd
It is important to remember that a child with Add/Adhd who is ignoring you, annoying you, or embarrassing you is not acting willfully. Careful and committed efforts to change behaviour can help to improve his social skills, his ability to learn, and reduce frustration for himself and his family.

Add/Adhd children/young people manage better in a structured environment. So establish a predictable routine and try to prewarn of any changes. This will give him time to mentally prepare.

Believe in and support your child
_ Recognize everything that is positive and unique about your child.

_ Trust that your child can learn, change, mature and succeed.

_ Let your child make mistakes and learn from them

Keep things in perspective
_Remember, your child's behaviour is related to a disorder.

_ Don't sweat the small stuff. One chore left undone isn't a big deal when maybe your child has completed two other chores or completed homework.

_ Be willing to make some compromises.

Take care of yourself
_ Look after your own health, and find ways to reduce stress.

_ Find the support you need and take advantage of it.

_ Cut yourself some slack if your child with Add/Adhd doesn't become a model child overnight. You are a parent not a magician.

Maintaining Structure
_ Establish predictable routines for morning and evening.

_ Insufficient sleep makes attention problems worse, so insist that your child have a regular bedtime and enough rest.
_ Make sure other caregivers are familiar with daily routines and adheres to it.

Strategies for
improving Communication
_ Be clear and concise. Give instructions one step at a time.

_ Promote good behaviour.

_ Negotiate and consult. You are a parent not a drill sergeant avoid barking orders to your child

_ Pick your battles. Not every situation requires intervention. Keep the big picture in mind and let little things slide. If you don't, your home will be one of constant conflict and criticism.

Diet and Nutrition
_ All children benefit from fresh foods and regular meal times. It is best for all kids to stay away from junk food. This is especially true for Add/Adhd children whose impulsiveness and distractedness can easily lead to missed meals and disordered eating habits.

_ Specific foods don't cause Add/Adhd but some researchers have claimed there is a connection between chemicals found in many foods, including artificial colors and other additives and the severity of Add/Adhd symptoms. However common sense and discipline, rather than special foods or restrictive diets, are what's most important.

Pay attention to the Siblings
_ Educate siblings about Add/Adhd.

_ Establish a clear set of rules that everyone in the home must follow.

_ Spend quality time with all your kids.

_ Let your unaffected kids be kids don't enlist them as assistive parents.

Promote Good Behaviour
_ Spell out rules and the consequences of inappropriate behaviour in advance.

_ Use time outs and the removal of privileges as consequences for misbehaviour.

_ Let your child know how you feel when he or she acts inappropriately.

_ Always follow through. Do what you say you're going to do, whether in reward or punishment

While behaviour modification requires considerable effort on the part of both you and your child it's most important to avoid the temptation to give up when feeling frustrated or exhausted. With compassion, patience and consistency you can greatly help your child cope with Add/Adhd.

Info gathered from www.drpaul.org and www.helpguide.org

What is Adhd? - Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (Adhd) and attention deficit disorder (Add) refers to a range of challenging behaviours associated with poor attention span. It is currently estimated that 3 to 5 percent of the UK population, mostly children, have Add or Adhd. The first signs are generally seen before the age of 5.

Symptoms
_ Easily distracted and unwilling
to finish things.

_ Restless, fidgety and overactive,
constantly running around and climbing over things.

_ Inattentive and unable to
concentrate on tasks.

_ Impulsive, suddenly doing things without thinking first.

_Unable to wait their turn in games, conversations or in a queue.

_Unable to organise themselves so that they can follow multiple tasks

This type of behaviour is common in all children. It only becomes a problem when these characteristics become excessive (compared to children of the same age) and when it prevents the child from learning and socialising.

School creates multiple challenges for kids with Adhd (Add) but with patience and an effective plan that involves parents/carers and all teaching staff a child/young person with Adhd can thrive in the classroom.

Tips and Strategies for Teachers
_ The watchwords for ADHD are routine, repetition and regularity. A young person with Adhd has problems concentrating and will need time organising his time. You can do this by providing an understanding of Adhd, routine and structure.

_ Some Adhd children require a highly specialised school environment, but many can excel in a mainstream school setting with the right support and help from both parents/carers and teaching staff.

_ Because Adhd children are easily distracted, school assignments should be broken down, one instruction at a time. And encouragement should be given as each stage is completed by student no matter what age.

_ Questions to a with Adhd should begin with his name followed by a pause to signal the child to pay close attention. Not as a reprimand.

_ Establish frequent eye contact and placing the student in front and centre of class (make sure this is understood by student that this action is not a punishment) away from anything distracting and with students who are a good influence.

_ Establish frequent eye contact and placing the student in front and centre of class (make sure this is understood by student that this action is not a punishment) away from anything distracting and with students who are a good influence.

_ The student may need help overcoming any associated learning skills, listenining skills and in task planning.

_ When an Adhd student/child is undergoing tests within school environment, extra time should be given for the adhd child and in the event of multi page tests then one page at a time should be handed out and completed before next page given to Adhd student. It is likely that a child with Adhd will need to take major examinations in a quiet environment, away from other children.

_ An Adhd child/young person does not adapt to change in routine well without some kind of forewarning. They are more successful when they see and know what is coming next.

_ Like parent/carers teachers should be on the lookout for and acknowledge good behaviour as children/young people with Adhd suffer from low self esteem and it does not help when they are constantly criticised both at home and/or school.

_ While helping the child avoid boredom the teacher should also help the child/young person avoid over stimulation. Stressful situations can often be anticipated and averted before they happen. Time out can be a useful resource to help calm the student down but not as a punishment and "traffic light cards" have been successfully used by young people to indicate when they need to leave the room to cool off.

_ Homework poses real problems for children with Adhd, as they frequently rely on parents to help them to organise their thoughts. Make sure that clear instructions about homework are sent home so that parents can help children to succeed with the task.

_ Give as much responsibility to the young person as you can, make them feel worthy of something. Give them praise for the good things and not the negative things. Look for activities or responsibilities for the child that will give them a chance to shine.

_ A parent/carer does not need the school/teacher calling day in day out to let them know the negative things their child has done. If as a teacher you cannot do that then you need to speak to SEN advisor within School and School should also be strongly thinking about statement for the child/young person if that is not already in place.

_ A child/young person spends a lot of time at school so this lack of support and understanding for Adhd children/young people needs addressing and ways to help should be reflected in that child's individual plan so that progress can be monitored.