The first step is opening up to the idea of your child’s mental health, and it’s great that you’re doing that. ADHD, or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a very common mental disorder affecting around 5% of children worldwide1.
Contrary to the stigma around mental health, especially in children, ADHD is a manageable condition with the right support and environment. So worry not! Children with ADHD can live their daily lives full of activities, school, friends, and family time!
Getting a diagnosis is the first step in supporting your child. Then, you educate yourself. Supporting your little one through a new lifestyle is understanding his symptoms, triggers, and different treatment options.
You are the adult; it is your responsibility to make the best out of this situation. Having the right information will also help you, as the parent, set realistic expectations of your child’s behaviour. It will accustom you to the different ways your child may react in various situations.
What else can you do? After equipping yourself with the right information, changing or bettering your home environment should be at the top of your list. Children are like sponges in the sense that they absorb everything that they see and internalize it.
The interactions you have with your child are crucial in how your child learns to deal with his condition. This means you should have clear communication, simple instructions, and parental warmth while talking to your child. Children with ADHD have trouble doing mundane tasks and holding their attention span.
To help them deal with this, try to plan their schedule out and break tasks into smaller steps that have a clear reward. Minimizing distractions like noise and overstimulating environments may help your child with his focus. Last but not least, exercise elevates most symptoms of mental health conditions. Getting your child to move for at least 30 minutes a day daily can help greatly.
During all this, don’t forget to remember that professional advice and direct professional treatment should be your priorities. Consulting your child’s paediatrician or having regular appointments with his therapist can prove to be extremely helpful in management.
