When thinking about ADHD treatment, many people assume that medication is the only correct answer. Though this is correct in most cases, coping skills have been shown to aid in the effectiveness of medication, as well as dealing with the symptoms associated with ADHD. As we have discussed in previous posts, ADHD presents with multiple symptoms. This can range from inattentiveness, to hyperfocus, to restlessness and many more. While medication may be necessary, there are interventions that you can implement on your own that can help reduce the negative effects of ADHD in children as well as adults.
Children diagnosed with ADHD will require assistance from their caregiver, in most cases, to help implement interventions and aid in dealing with ADHD struggles. Some things that can be of assistance in managing behaviors can be:
- Providing clear rules and expectations for behavior.
- Establishing a routine and schedule, and sticking to it.
- Developing a reward system and reward desired behaviors immediately.
- Allowing natural consequences to happen.
- Do not reward undesired behavior–ignore it.
- Setting age appropriate goals that develop as your child ages.
- Providing supportive environments that limit distractions and stimulation to complete tasks (homework, projects, etc.).
- Reward! Reward! Reward! Reward those positive behaviors and changes!
More resources and ideas can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/behavior-therapy.html
In adulthood, some people carry an ADHD diagnosis with them from their childhood or adolescence, from 30 to nearly 65% of children diagnosed with ADHD will continue to struggle with this in their adult lives as well. There are similar things that adults with ADHD can implement to help with organization, time management and behavior management. Some examples of interventions or skills that can be implemented are:
- Declutter your space and create spaces designated for specific things (i.e. car keys, phone, wallet/purse, etc.). Throw away what you do not need.
- Use a day planner or smart phone app to track appointments and deadlines.
- Set reminders for appointments and deadlines and make lists of things you need to accomplish.
- Break down tasks into smaller, more manageable steps.
- Give yourself more time than you think you will need to complete a task.
- When dealing with finances: go paperless to cut down on mail and other items that can pile up, use automatic billing options if able, use a budgeting app or set reminders for due dates for bills.
More resources and ideas for adults with ADHD can be found at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/mid-life-adhd-coping-strategies-that-can-help-2021020521862
Cara Parkinson can be found behind the front desk in the office. She has worked in mental health with children and adolescents for the past 4 years and joined our office in July of 2020. She is currently working to complete her Master’s in Social Work. She enjoys spending time with her dog, Bella, reading and is a lover of learning. She looks forward to discovering more ways to advocate for and help others along their journey through life and finding healing.