THIS ISSUE: Parent Tips for Dealing with ADHD Children

Dear Arizona Promising Practices Subscriber,

Welcome to another online addition of the Arizona Promising Practices forum. For those new to this service, each issue, which will now be sent to you on a regular basis, will focus on:

(1) Recommended National Education websites; and

(2) One promising practice article in condensed form. We welcome your recommendations for improvement to this forum or suggestions on future topics (these will be wide ranging so if nothing in this update interests you, hold on for future editions!)

The Arizona Promising Practices Forum and website, www.azpromisingpractices.com is a FREE resource of the Arizona Department of Education.

In this issue of the Promising Practices Forum we have been asked to provide information in assisting parents who have ADHD Children. This article may also be shared by educators with parents of ADHD children in their classrooms.

National Website of Importance – The North Central Regional Educational Laboratory offers a wealth of research and content aimed at improving the learning for all students. Check out this site at: http://www.ncrel.org/

Promising Practice Research and Teaching Tips

Tips for Parents with ADHD Children

1. Use positive reinforcement to increase positive behaviors.
2. Use immediate consequences to decrease negative behaviors
3. Use token economies at home to help in following rules. Use charts, chips, stickers to follow behaviors and create immediate rewards.
4. Be proactive in your approach. Look at situations beforehand and determine the appropriate behavior. Create rewards and consequences and let your child know ahead of time exactly what is expected.
5. Keep directions simple. Use short sentences to give directions and give only one or two directions at a time.
6. Use frequent eye contact. Keep your child’s eyes on your face while giving directions or instructions.
7. Review your expectations and make sure they are appropriate for your child’s emotional level as well as their chronological age.
8. Create proactive systems to help your child. Label drawers so your child knows what belongs where.
9. Look for talents. Children with ADHD tend to be creative, whether in art, music or other areas. Help them to work with their talents and develop them rather than focusing on what your child cannot do.
10. Keep your home as structured as possible so your child knows what to expect. Make a set evening routine and bedtime. Create a routine for mornings and stick with it as much as your life will allow.