5 Tips for Caring for Your Child with ADHD

ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a behavior disorder characterized by difficulties with maintaining attention and controlling energy. It is common among children; with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pointing at a 9.4% prevalence rate per a 2016 national parent survey.

If your child has undergone pediatrics in Greenbelt, Maryland, and has been diagnosed with the condition, you may be wondering what you as a parent can do to help your child.

Here at Edge Pediatrics, we believe that ensuring a child’s health takes a village, so that arriving at the set goals is only possible with the partnership between the parent and doctor. As such, it’s important to carry on the strategies and ways you have worked with your child’s pediatrician into your home following a care plan.

Whether you’re having a difficult time enforcing these strategies or simply looking for some new ones, we’re sure you can learn something new from this list of pedia-approved ways for helping your child.

1. Understand their condition
   By taking steps to understand their condition, you are ensuring their long-term health. Speak with a pediatrician in Maryland, study the topic, and know more through online resources.
2. Enforce praise and encouragement
   As with other children, you must not forget to praise your child’s good behavior so they will know what is acceptable or not. And, per our in-house pediatrician in Greenbelt, Dr. Melvin, always make sure to also use positive language as children with ADHD can often feel that they are disliked or that they can’t do anything right.
3. Provide structure but break tasks down whenever necessary
   Children with ADHD are easily distractible so providing them structure through a daily schedule, for instance, can be calming. One of the ways you can do so is by incorporating good sleep hygiene in your daily schedule. Poor sleeping habits are closely linked with the negative aspects of ADHD. By maintaining a regular sleeping schedule, you are making sure their energy levels the next day are tempered and they have a better mood. But you must make sure that these routines aren’t too rigid, so they’re not put off.
4. Take care of yourself; keep your stress levels down
   As with any caregiving task, you must also make sure you’re in tiptop shape to effectively support your child. Stress that goes out of hand can cause you to get overwhelmed. Reduce this by taking a break occasionally and asking for help before it gets too much.
5. Work with specialists/Find specialist support
   There is still much to learn about ADHD, as such, getting the help of a pediatric group is a must. Working with specialists can make sure you’re updated with the latest studies and possible cure as well get the right support you need to take care of your child.