ADHD and LD? How Kids and Parents Cope
Children can be challenging enough without even thinking about a child with ADHD and a learning disability. It is hard enough for most children to sit still and stay calm. For a child with ADHD, this task is even harder. Parents and teachers can get to their wits end and not know what to do or how to help themselves help their child. The ADHD child cannot stay focused on any one single thing for too long. This is not only frustrating for parents it can cause the child to have a learning disability. How can parents calm these little minds down enough to grab their attention so they can learn? There are some things that can be done to help parents cope with this ongoing battle.
Make sure your child has been evaluated appropriately and diagnosed. This will enable your child to get help in school and also make his or her teacher aware that the child has a disability, not a behavior problem. If any medications are recommended for your child, get a second opinion. This will allow you to know if your child really does require medication or if there is some therapy available that will help instead. If it is deemed that your child needs medication then make sure they have it. Watch to make sure it is working and there are no severe side effects. This is your first step in helping your child manage their disorder. Think of what your expectations are and reevaluate them and make them something your child can do. Provide your child with organization skills that can work for them and are easy to follow.
Have clear outlooks for all the things you want your child to do. Make sure you have them look into your eyes as you speak and repeat back to you what was said. This will let you know that your child heard you and now can be accountable for the task. Give praise for tasks well done and for having good listening skills. Allow your child to make choices on their own from time to time. Let the child feel independent and in control of themselves. Make sure you tell your child how to get your attention appropriately and what you expect. Let them know that negative behavior will not get the results they want and give examples of a good way. Make things fun. Chores don’t have to be mundane and if they are fun and interactive, your child might respond better. Laugh and praise while the child is accomplishing a set of chores or instructions. This will help to keep them engaged and focused.
When it comes to helping your child stay focused on their schoolwork, make sure you provide an area of study that is quiet. The less stimuli they have, the more focused they will be able to stay on the task at hand. Sit with your child and give cues and prompts to help them. Ask the child questions about what they are reading and writing about to make sure they are soaking in what is being said and done. Have a strict routine to make sure that your child knows what will happen next. If they know what to expect, then it can make focusing easier. Their mind won’t wander, thinking about what might or might not happen soon, they will know. Make sure to provide your child with the modifications that are necessary to keep them from struggling. Your child will be more prone to lose interest in something if it is too frustrating for them. That is when their mind will wander and they will get antsy. Between lessons makes sure your child gets up and stretches. Pent up energy will not help your child focus.
The more time you spend helping your child be the best, the more you know that you are doing everything you can to help them succeed. There are times when parenting any child is stressful. When your child has ADHD and LD, it can be twice as hard to figure out what to do. Make sure you give them the time they need and be very clear. This will reduce your stress and help your child succeed at accomplishing your wishes. This will also give them the foundation in later life to accomplish their own goals and dreams with the tools you gave them.
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