Challenging behaviors in a child with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) include not listening, arguing and non-compliance. These negative behaviors test parents and stress teachers. Children struggle to complete assignments, finish projects and remember rules. By instituting behavioral interventions for children with ADHD, negative behaviors decrease and positive behaviors increase. Three behavioral plan components listed in an article at ADDitude, an online magazine dedicated to ADD and ADHD, include a focus on the essential, documentation and a commitment to note and reward improvement.
Self-Calming
Children's ability to self-manage their ADHD symptoms increases when they learn skills and methods to calm themselves and stay focused. Teach children deep breathing, counting backwards and sitting in a quiet space when they become over stimulated. Encourage them to ask for assistance from an adult if they find themselves struggling to become calm. Family Education suggests teaching children visual imagery to encourage success. Suggest that the child imagine making good choices and achieving goals, in combination with deep breathing.
Prevention
Provide organizational tools to assist the child in planning and completing assignments, chores and projects. Checklists, calendars and daily planners guide children with ADHD, help them stay focused and increase deadline compliance. Create an environment that ameliorates ADHD symptoms by reducing visual and auditory distractions. ADHD children should get enough sleep, eat right and expend their excess energy in positive ways.
Encouragement
Instead of focusing on an ADHD child's disability, put attention on his abilities. Remind an ADHD child of his ability to run long distances in physical education. Compliment him when he remembers to pack everything into his book bag. Provide a reward if he finishes all his assignments on time for one day. Let him pick the family night movie for remembering his chores, without reminders, for a week. Family Education suggests that positive consequences should be small and reasonable without resorting to big-ticket items.
Discipline
Implement negative consequences for an ADHD child's most egregious behaviors. Hitting, yelling, arguing and non-compliance should not be excused because of a child's ADHD diagnosis. When she makes a poor choice, provide timeout, removal of privileges, extra chores or sentence writing. Be consistent in imposing consequences every time she breaks the rules. Health Central reminds parents that the more consistent they are, the better any behavior modification approach will work. Also, share information with teachers and other caregivers so everyone is providing the same guidance.
