Self-understanding involves recognizing one's strengths and weaknesses, understanding how ADHD affects them, and developing self-awareness. Children learn to identify their triggers and understand their behaviors. This self-awareness is the foundation for making positive changes and advocating for themselves.
Organizational skills help children keep track of their belongings, assignments, and responsibilities. Techniques include using planners, color-coded folders, and checklists. Developing a routine for organizing materials can reduce chaos and help children feel more in control.
Time management abilities are essential for children with ADHD. They often struggle with estimating how long tasks will take and staying on schedule. Training involves teaching them to break tasks into smaller steps, use timers, and create daily schedules. This helps them manage their time more effectively and meet deadlines.
Emotional control is another critical area. Children with ADHD can experience intense emotions and have difficulty regulating them. Techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and positive self-talk can help them manage their emotions and respond more calmly to stressors.
Behavior control involves managing impulses and behaving appropriately in different situations. This includes learning to wait their turn, think before acting, and follow rules. Through role-playing and practice, children can develop better self-control and improve their social interactions.
Flexibility, or cognitive flexibility, is the ability to adapt to new situations and changes. Children with ADHD often struggle with this. Training involves teaching them to develop alternative plans, think creatively, and remain calm when things don’t go as expected.
Initiative is about starting tasks independently and taking action without needing constant reminders. Children learn to recognize when it’s time to start a task and how to motivate themselves to begin. This can significantly improve their productivity and sense of accomplishment.
Attention is the ability to sustain focus on a task, despite distractions. Techniques to improve attention include setting specific goals, reducing environmental distractions, and using tools like fidget toys to help maintain focus.
Working memory involves holding and manipulating information in the mind over short periods. Exercises like memory games, using mnemonic devices, and practicing mental math can help improve this skill, which is vital for following instructions and completing tasks.
Lastly, persistence is about staying with a task until it’s completed, even when it’s challenging or boring. Children learn to break tasks into manageable chunks, set realistic goals, and develop a growth mindset that encourages perseverance.
Create House Rules: Create a visual aid to remind your child of standard house rules that must be followed at all times or daily.
Make Consequences and Rewards Known: Predetermined consequences and rewards help children make good decisions and motivate them to make decisions leading to your desired outcomes for them and your family/household.