As of 2007, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects roughly 2 to 5 percent of all children, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Its symptoms include impulsivity, inability to concentrate, irritability, moodiness and restlessness. Although medical treatments like Ritalin have proven successful in 75 percent of cases, good parenting still plays a major role in correcting inappropriate behaviors. Therefore, parents of ADHD children should be more aware of which disciplinary actions have had the most success on modifying ADHD conduct.
Reward Good Behaviors
Discipline is a matter of correcting behavior and is not necessarily punitive in nature. One of the most successful modification programs used on ADHD children is the rewards program. This entails rewarding and acknowledging good behavior as it happens. One important note is that rewards depend on the child. For instance, if the ADHD individual stays seated and quiet throughout a meal, giving him ice cream as a reward will only work if the child enjoys ice cream. If, however, he likes video games, then perhaps letting him play an hour of video games would be a more successful way of getting him to repeat the good behavior. In psychology, this method is referred to as "positive reinforcement."
Provide Immediate and Relevant Consequences for Bad Behavior
If your child keeps looking away as you are talking to her, institute an immediate, relevant punishment. For instance, have the child sit in the corner for 6 minutes, reasoning, "If you do not learn to respect the conversation of others, you will not receive any." If the child curses, take away her television privileges. "Obviously the TV has a bad influence on you." Punishments vary according to what the child perceives as negative, so tailor them accordingly.
Ignore Inappropriate Behavior
Sometimes children just want your attention, whether it is good or bad. When it comes to whining or throwing a tantrum, it may be best to let the ADHD child's behavior run its course. When the child sees he is not getting what he wants, he will either give up crying or try harder. Of course, you cannot ignore the child who starts attacking you or damaging your living space, but you can punish those behaviors individually. Also, try to refrain from arguing. Your child will only enjoy the negative attention or habituate---become immune---to it.
Repeat Lessons as Needed
Unlike most normal children, ADHD children do not always attend to the lesson the first time it is received. It may take several times for your child to learn the importance of putting a bike away. Start with rewarding the child when she does, punishing her when she does not and constantly reminding her to do so. Although it is unhealthy to teach your child to rely on you for guidance, it may be your responsibility to instill proper social rules while you can.
Stay in Control
As you increase the amount of discipline, the child will act out as much as possible to resist any undesirable structuring. Stay firm, and this will eventually subside. Make sure the ADHD child knows you are the parent and the one who makes the rules and decisions. As you make impulsivity less desirable and impose the importance of attention, symptoms will become milder. They may not retreat without the use of medical attention, but behaviors can be unlearned and refashioned as much as they can be learned. Keep your cool, and the child will learn to keep his as well.
References
- American Psychiatric Association: ADHD Rates
- Texas Dept of Mental Health: Parenting the Child with ADHD
- "Parenting Children with ADHD: 10 Lessons That Medicine Cannot Teach;" Vincent J. Monastra, Ph.D.; 2004
