Due to their dramatic mood swings, impulsive actions, and other behavioral issues, kids with ADHD are often the target of peer rejection.
In the long term, this results to feelings of inadequacy and depression due to said social isolation.
Thus children with ADD/ADHD are more likely to exhibit disruptive behaviors such as temper tantrums and oppositional/defiant/conduct problems than their typically developing peers.
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Children with ADHD: How to Effectively Discipline Hyperactive Kids
While there is currently no treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), children may be safeguarded from the complicated cycle of shame and failure by receiving specialized instruction and following a few simple principles.
When you or your family suspect that your kid has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the keywords here are patience, firmness, and discipline.
First rule, stick to a schedule!
A hyperactive kid is unlikely to keep track of time.
To him, the only thing that matters is right now. Thus he pays little attention to the past or the future.
To a significant extent, this explains why he acts rashly without considering the potential repercussions.
You can assist him in getting back on track by setting up a regular schedule for his activities and teaching him to stick to them.
This means;
- What he has to do first thing in the morning (using the bathroom, eating breakfast, getting ready for school, etc.);
- Things he has to do the minute he walks in the door after school: A quick change, some tidying up, 45 minutes of play, some schoolwork, a bath, some supper, and an early bedtime.
Your kid with ADHD will benefit from a more manageable routine that allows them to concentrate on one thing at a time. You’ll also use this chance to instruct him on the finer points of time management and personal organization.
Second Golden Rule: Learn to Talk to People!
Likely, we can’t really impart wisdom to the kid since an overly energetic youngster knows no bounds.
He is impulsive, restless, full of boundless energy, and tireless; as a result, he regularly sustains injuries; nonetheless, he never seems to learn his lesson, which makes him a threat to both himself and his teammates.
Your job as a parent is to keep him in check without smothering him since he cannot do it inside.
You may do this by setting daily ground rules appropriate for his age, requirements, and talents.
To which you probably respond, “Yes, but how?”
The answer to that is clearly laid down guidelines.
Your rules should be straightforward if you want him to follow them. He may not get the hint if you want him to do something specific but use broad and vague language.
Consider the following:
“Don’t cut other people’s word” instead of “be courteous,”
“Stop running” instead of “stay still,” etc., all have different connotations for him.
Those are the rules that may be taken at face value
Eh yes!
Clear, concise, and unambiguous directions.
Do not put this off; there is no need to give him a lengthy speech about his actions and what you want to tell him. Let him know exactly what you want him to do. Here’s an example:
We may say, “Do you want to cease sitting on that chair?” that suggests he has a choice; say instead, “Stop jumping on this bed,” knowing well that your youngster has no sense of punishment.
Instruction by Instruction!
Inattentive kid If you put too many demands on an ADHD kid, they can forget some of them. If there is a need to provide instructions rather than a laundry list of actions, do it in a task-based format.
Instead of telling him to “go washed up, get dressed, and come downstairs for food,” send him up to the bathroom first. After he finishes, you may ask him to leave and go on.
It’s best to steer clear of orders like “Clean your room,” which might mean anything from “put away the bed” to “put away the toys” to “put away the notebooks.” Instead, be explicit about what you expect of him, even if you require more words. The following are some suggestions for getting him to clean up his space:
For example, “Put your shoes in the closet,” “Pick up your toys and put them in the closet,” “Take your notes and put them back in your satchel,” “Put your pencils and pens in your pencil case,” etc.
Was he right in his assumption?
Once you’ve finished asking him questions, check to see whether he has grasped their meaning.
To ensure that you have his undivided attention, you must always back up your demands with outward cues such as your glance and touch.
Therefore, this is what you should do when you question him:
- Look him in the eye and make sure he does the same; Put yourself at his level.
- Hold his hand or place a hand on his shoulder;
- Ask him to repeat what you asked him to do.
Third rule: Maintain a firm stance while displaying compassion.
A youngster with ADHD may find it challenging to follow your guidelines. You should resist the pressure and only give in when absolutely necessary. While his hyperactivity may be a contributing factor, there is no explanation for his constant babbling. You are his role model. Therefore you must stick to the rules you’ve established for him, even if it’s not the case with your other kids.
Warning: Don’t put undue pressure on him by setting impossible standards since you probably already know he’s going through a tough time. Your child’s ability should inform your set of objectives and priorities.
The connection between regulations and sanctions is a powerful tool for gaining respect. Do not waste any time in meting out punishment for rule-breaking. The life of a hyperactive youngster has to be kept in a state of equilibrium at all times; delaying even a penalty until the next day might significantly upset him and put at risk all of your hard work to this point. Don’t wait until the weekend to stop him from watching cartoons or playing video games; start the punishment now.
What you and your children can get out of it?
Children with ADHD benefit more from positive reinforcement than negative consequences. Considering how frequently he gets punished, he has a very low opinion of himself; thus, positive feedback, such as praises and congrats, might serve as a source of motivation and inspiration.
Moreover, try not to be miserly. Create a system of rewards for each action taken and any rule followed, such as an ice cream for finishing his schoolwork or watching a cartoon after putting his toys away.
