Children, teens and adults who struggle with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can use behavioral strategies to reduce the symptoms of impulsivity, inattention and hyperactivity. Behavioral strategies are a big component of cognitive-behavioral therapy which is used to treat ADHD in all age groups. Many times, cognitive-behavioral therapists assign behavioral techniques as homework.
Regular Exercise and Sleep
It's extremely important that people with ADHD---no matter their ages---exercise regularly and get a good night's sleep each night, according to Helpguide.org. Parents who have a child with this disorder should encourage their child to join team sports, play outdoors and get moving daily. This will help decrease hyperactivity and increase attention. Sleep also improves the ability to concentrate.
Routine
While all people with ADHD benefit from having a specific routine, this is especially true for children. Nicole Sprinkle from ADDitude magazine reports that children with this disorder need structure, but they shouldn't be the only family members with a daily routine. Plans should include a routine for all children in the family. Parents should incorporate into the daily routine times that children wake up, eat breakfast, eat lunch, do homework, eat dinner and go to bed. Try to follow the routine even when the children don't have school.
Lists and Planners
A behavioral strategy that teens and adults with this disorder should implement is keeping a planner with daily lists of tasks to complete, according to the Mayo Clinic. It's helpful to write out tasks for the next day before bed and cross them off as they're finished throughout the day. People with ADHD struggle with remembering important dates and appointments, so they can benefit from writing all of them down in a planner and reviewing the planner on a regular basis.
Break Down Large Tasks
Children, teens and adults with ADHD become overwhelmed by large tasks. They often get distracted and the tasks often don't get finished. The Mayo Clinic recommends breaking down large tasks into smaller tasks that are more manageable. Parents of children with ADHD can assist them in doing this. For instance, if a child has to complete a science project, the parents can help the child break it down into tasks that will take about 20 to 30 minutes each to complete, assigning each task to specific days.
Get Organized
Almost everyone with ADHD struggles with organization. Many times, therapists will suggest behavioral strategies to reduce disorganization. For instance, a therapist might recommend that the client pick one room in her house each week to organize. After the house is organized, the therapist might suggest that the client pick up trash, loose papers and anything else out of place for 10 minutes each evening.
