Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is a mental health disorder that causes a person to either have problems with attention or hyperactivity and impulsivity, or in some cases the person can exhibit problems in all three areas. Punishment is often used to correct the problems associated with ADHD, but many times its use is not necessary or it is used incorrectly.
Basics
Punishment is a way to change and modify the behaviors of a person with ADHD. When using punishment on people with ADHD, think about the overall consequences and make sure that the use of punishment promotes the desired behavior change and will not result in unintended consequences. For example, suspending a student from school for a unwanted behavior might be intended to reduce that behavior, but instead it could make the student dislike school and decide to drop out. Therefore, punishment has to be used carefully on people with ADHD to ensure the desired result is obtained.
Tips
There are tips to using punishment effectively with ADHD. The punishment should be given immediately after the problem behavior has occurred and it should be issued with consistency. When punishment is given it should be explained; parents and teachers should explain to children with ADHD why they are being punished. A child should be provided with recommendations on how to change his behavior in the future. The punishment should be provided in the lowest level at which it is effective, because often punishment has to be increased over time to continue to affect behavior change. In addition, the punishment should match the severity of the behavior.
Consequences
Children with ADHD, especially those with the hyperactive-impulsive type of ADHD, tend to get in trouble more often than most children because they are often causing disruptions or not following directions. The results of constant negative feedback can leave a person with ADHD feeling overwhelmed and helpless. These children often experience lower levels of self esteem, notes the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Considerations
Avoid the use of punishment as much as possible to reduce the negative consequences that punishment and constant corrections can cause in people with ADHD. Instead of using punishment all of the time, focus on decreasing the undesirable behaviors by turning the attention to the positive and desirable behaviors. Whenever possible, parents and teachers should reward and praise children with ADHD for their desired behaviors and ignore negative behaviors. This will cause the child to increase her positive behaviors, while decreasing her unwanted behaviors without harming her self esteem.
Specifics
To change a child's behavior without using punishment, parents and teachers can make changes to the way they react to the child and his environment. HelpGuide.org suggests a system should be set in place to provide a child with discrete redirections when he interrupts others or acts out of line; this will help ensure that he doesn't get embarrassed in front of others.
Also, a child with ADHD should be provided with smaller assignments and tasks so that he can have breaks more often. The child's environment should be fun and interactive because children with ADHD have an easier time maintaining attention when they are involved in these activities. Making these types of changes will reduce the child's negative behaviors and the need for punishment.
