Whether you are an adult suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/ Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or a worried parent whose child suffers from ADHD, you need to know following ways that can help you deal with this learning/developmental disorder.
Seek professional help and choose right Food
The symptoms of ADD or ADHD can effect your social, professional and personal life. Whether you are adult or a parent with ADHD kid, you must consult a professional psychiatrist and therapist. Medications will help in dealing with the symptoms while therapy will help in developing different coping strategies. At the same time, choosing right kind of food is must. Certain foods can trigger hyperactive and impulsive behavior. So, make sure that your child avoids consumption for sugary foods, fried, junk foods and dairy products. Instead of giving using tinned or packed juices, take fresh juice, organic foods and fruits rich in vitamins A and C. Kids or adults suffering from ADHD can benefit a lot by making some changes in their diet. ADHD diet therapy is an effective way of coping with this disorder.
Brain training games
Kids with ADHD benefit from Brain Training Games. These games are mostly played during the therapy that helps kids to exercise their brain and adopt new learning strategies. The use of these games in successive sessions have a similar effect on brain waves like some medications such as Ritalin. But these games are only healthy when played in moderation. So, parents must consult the therapist about frequency and duration of these games. When used in moderation, these games can help a child experience a sense of accomplishment and develop positive self esteem. In later stages of treatment, this therapeutic procedure will help the child deal with her/his ADHD symptoms effectively.
Dealing with impulsive ADHD behavior
Children with ADHD display impulsive behavior attributed to their hyperactivity. Although, the intensity of this behavior is different with every child, yet most of them may experience symptoms like inability to wait for their turns, blurting out words without thinking and fidgeting. They may be more impatient when compared to other children of their age group. To deal with their impulsive actions, parents can opt for Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Under this therapy, a child’s impulsive actions are controlled by a system of rewards and/or punishments. For instance, a child is appreciated every time s/he waits for her/his turn at the playground. Along with this, cognitive procedures are used to help the child deal with impulsive behavior. But if you are an adult with ADHD, then you will have to make deliberate attempts to reduce your impulsive behavior. You will have to focus on staying calm and relaxed. Also, you will have to make sure that you indulge in self care practices and do personal things often. Being conscious of your disorder can help you overcome it.
Sleep and exercise
Children with ADHD may experience too much of inattention problem because they are hyperactive and can’t sleep well. Therefore, one of the best ways of dealing with your child’s ADHD is to drain her/his energy. Encourage your child to have extra physical activities and let her/him play outdoor games that require her/him to burn her/his energies. Running and jumping, swimming or other exercises can help your child to drain out her/his energies. If you are an adult with ADHD, then you can also indulge in exercising for at least 40 minutes each day. This will allow you to channel your extra energies and help you pay attention at work. At the same time, you will have a tired body that will allow you to sleep for about 8-10 hours.
Choosing your activites
Children with ADHD have problems in learning through traditional methods used in classroom teaching. So, use modern approaches. For instance, a child with ADHD who has poor handwriting can use alternative methods like using a tape recorder, making personal oral reports or making presentation in senior grades to learn and present her/his homework. You can talk to your child’s principal, teacher or school counselor to help your child choose alternate activities. At the same time, you must teach your child some organizational skills. Ask your child to have a consistent format of working and note instructions in case s/he feels that s/he would forget them. Reduce distractions in your child’s learning area. Allow your child to choose favorite activities like dancing, singing or playing that will help her/him to become more attentive and less bored. If you are an adult, you can make a to-do list and try to stick with it. Try to choose some favorite activity that will ease your boredom so that you can work attentively at your office. Also, try organizing your things so that you don’t have to worry about losing your stuff or forgetting what task you have to perform.
