5 Ways to Parent a Child With ADHD

1. Choose Your Battles

As the parent of a child with ADHD, you're not going to have the time, energy or strength to take your child to task for his each and every bad behavioral habit. One of the most vital skills you can develop is the ability to distinguish between what's important and what you can let slide.

You should also consider that there may be any other behavioral disorders at work in your child. Oppositional-defiant disorder frequently accompanies ADHD. Log particularly difficult behavior and discuss it with your child's doctor.

2. Establish Clear Expectations and Enforce Limits

One parenting tip you'll hear over and over is that you need to communicate a clear set of expectations to your child regarding specific tasks. Make sure your child understands those expectations, then follow up by setting up a reward/penalty system that encourages her to make better choices. Behavioral therapists stress the importance of reinforcing good behavior and imposing consequences for bad behavior as a simple, clear means of modifying a child's conduct.

3. Get Parent Education

Your child isn't the only one who can benefit from the help of a professional. As a parent, you can also take part in educational workshops that will teach you many valuable tips and tricks for managing a child with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In these courses, you'll learn how to improve communication with your child and gain some proven techniques for getting more cooperation and encouraging better behavior.

4. Be a Good Role Model

While this is excellent general parenting advice, as the parent of a child with ADHD, you'll need to be especially conscientious about setting a good example. Since many children with ADHD struggle with impulse control, waiting their turn and social skills, you can be a model of proper behavior for your child. Through you, your child can learn to treat others with more respect and consideration.

5. Stay Positive and Consistent

Every day, you should find something positive to focus on and bring to the attention of your child. This will give your child a real sense of confidence and help him understand that he is making progress. This, along with stability, structure and consistency, helps positively modify your child's behavior in the long run. Regardless of whether you're rewarding or penalizing your child for good or bad behavior, it's important that you remain stalwart in your decisions. Kids with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder need regimented boundaries, and establishing them starts with you, the parent.