An ADHD Survival Guide for a Stress-Free Summer

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An ADHD Survival Guide for a Stress-Free SummerBy Dr. Robert Myers

Right now, all across North America, tens of thousands of parents raising children with ADHD are wishing summer was already over. With school out, they're now trapped and besieged, held hostage by their children's hyperactive and frenetic behavior. They're trying to live with kids who are always "bored," quick to anger, frustrated, impulsive, sometimes destructive and often out of control.

"Bouncing off the walls" is how many parents describe their children's summer at home. Is this how your child is acting this summer?

As if raising children under normal circumstances isn't hard enough, raising a child between the ages of 5 and 15 with ADHD is far more than most parents are trained or naturally equipped to handle.

This summer will be different for you...The good news, of course, is that ADHD is manageable, and some children even progress to the point where they are "symptom-free." Opinions vary among clinicians and medical doctors as to which is the best way to manage ADHD. Some doctors rely solely on pharmacology—drugs—to control the symptoms of ADHD. Many of these drugs have a host of adverse side effects. Some doctors work with the child but not the family, and vice versa. I take an entirely different approach.

I've worked with children and teens with ADHD for the past 25 years. In my work, I take the best of all non-drug ADHD approaches and combine them into one unified and complementary system to manage ADHD behavior in children. I believe the best way to control attention and hyperactivity problems is to work with the whole family.

I also used this approach personally as my son was growing up. Greg suffered with severe ADHD as a child. Today his is a well-adjusted and successful film editor in California, confirming what I've always believed about kids with ADHD—they have tremendous potential if parents have the right tools to manage attention and hyperactivity problems.

A new and simple approach to managing attention and hyperactivity problemsI believe in combining 6 different strategies to help parents manage ADHD behavior in children.

 

Parent education and training (how to interact with your child)

Behavior modification

Relaxation training

Cognitive behavioral training (changing how your child thinks, which changes how your child feels and behaves)

Social skill training

Cognitive rehabilitation exercises (trains your child's brain on a neurological level) Children with ADHD are basically good kids. They have a brain disorder not a conduct disorder. Children with conduct disorders know when something they are about to do is wrong, and yet do it anyway. Children with ADHD typically can't think ahead, to plan, or to realize the consequence of their actions. Yet, with proper management techniques their thinking—and their behavior—can be modified and brought under control.

Indeed, today, right now, you can begin to help your child control their hyperactive and impulsive behavior so both of you can truly enjoy your summer. Here's how.

Dr. Bob's 8 summer recommendations for you and your child:

 

Create a daily schedule for your child and post it. Make sure your child has the same routine every day. Post the schedule in a prominent place in the home. "Children with attention and hyperactivity problems respond well to written schedules, even during the summer," says Dr. Bob. "They provide structure and predictability."

Create a list of fun activities for when they say, "I'm bored." Include video games, reading, building models, painting, exercise, sports and other fun activities and hobbies they enjoy. This keeps kids from complaining that "there's nothing to do" and keeps them focused on an activity rather than getting frustrated and getting into trouble as a result.

Use a timer for all activities. It's a great way to build and reinforce structure and helps train the child to expect limitations. Giving a child a time limit for chore completion is also useful, especially if a reward is given for finishing on time.

Help your child organize everyday items and talk about the plan together. Work with your child to have a specific place for all their possessions, from clothing and toys to school supplies. Talk about it with your child at a time when things are calm.

Enroll your child in a day camp. It can be a bible school, YMCA, community or special interest camp—with organized, structured and fun activities.

Provide clear, consistent expectations, directions and limits, even if it seems like overkill to you. Children with ADHD need to know exactly what others expect from them. For example: "Josh, please set the table in 5 minutes and put 2 extra chairs at the table." Not "Josh, set the table and get extra chairs."

Use rewards. They're just as important as consequences. You should adopt discipline methods that reward appropriate behavior and respond to misbehavior with alternatives such as time out or loss of privileges. Remember: Children with ADHD generally respond well to positive reinforcement. Reward the behavior that's working.

Create a behavior modification plan to change the most problematic behaviors. Behavior charts that track your child's chores or responsibilities and that offer potential rewards for positive behaviors are helpful tools. Important note: As easy and tempting as it is to do it, avoid using food and especially candy for rewards. Many of these ideas and activities can and should be implemented year-round, not just over the summer, to manage your child's ADHD. For a comprehensive program to help with your child's self-control, focus and overall behavior, check out the free trial on my Total Focus® Program. Total Focus® can actually help your child interact better with family and friends now—and will also prepare your child to perform better in the coming school year.

Total Focus® is a multi-media program specifically designed to be used by you and your child in the comfort of your home. It works with your child, one-on-one, giving them tasks and easy, fun "guided exercises" to help them—stop, think and relax. It also helps them to slow down and gain control of their thoughts and actions.

Total Focus® helps children to...

Become better listeners

Respond positively instead of reacting negatively

Absorb information and instruction calmly

It also gives your child exercises to...

Help them concentrate and sit still

Help them focus on their breathing to stay calm and relaxed

Help them control their anger and aggressive behavior It also trains you, the parent, simple ways to coach your child—so that they learn to effectively manage their ADHD on their own.