ADHD Parenting - How to Provide Structure For Your Child With ADHD

If your child with ADHD has been managing you with temper tantrums, hitting, yelling, and disrespect, you may be reacting to his impulsive actions with frustration and anger.  

We Cannot Change Others. We Can Only Change Ourselves.  

You can turn the tide, when you modify and manage your child's behavior. He needs to see that every part of his life has clear guidelines and boundaries, with a beginning, an end, and logical consequences. That is structure.  

Schedules, routines, and programs provide structure. Schools and day-care facilities use it to manage children, because it works. They have visual and audible reminders-charts, loud bells, schedules, and announcements to let the children see, hear, and anticipate the beginning and end of each routine.   

What Nobody Tells Us About Structure and Behavior Modification  

Some doctors will give you a prescription. Some counselors will only educate you about ADHD and ODD.   Conscientious counselors might mention behavior modification, but they may not give you many guidelines. Few therapists and other professionals know a variety of behavior modification techniques compatible with children's ADHD, ODD (oppositional defiant disorder), and autistic characteristics.  

Behavior modification uses rewards to change a child's behavior. When the child has been taught the desired behavior, he is rewarded for practicing it. The desired behavior, given in the form of rules, visual cues, short instructions, new skills, and physical guidance, is paired with small frequent rewards (tokens) to motivate the child.   

Token Economy: Why Behavior Charts Change Children's Behavior  

We can provide additional structure by using a token economy system (also called a behavior chart). Based on psychologist Burrhus F. Skinner's learning theory (see Deese and Hulse, 1967), it is known in the therapy world as a highly visible token system. It can be made easily with cardboard, strips of clear plastic, and index cards.  

When you use a token system at home, you will see a quick change in your child's behavior. It works because it is visual and gives your child some measure of control. He can see how many tokens he has earned at any given moment.   

Behavior Chart: Your Remote Control to Child Behavior  

Using a token system or behavior chart correctly provides your child with visible proof that all good things are earned with good behavior. You will not fork over allowance, money, or privileges otherwise.   

When we change our ways and stay committed for as long as our child lives with us, he will then respond and change with the choices we offer. If we stop using the token system when his behaviors improve, his misbehavior will soon return. 

If now is a good time to get your child's attitude and behavior under control, I invite you to use these parenting tips to get started. If you want more tips, I invite you to claim your free report "Seven Simple Ways to Motivate Your Child to Listen to You!" You can download it when you sign up at http://www.AdhdParentingTips.com. It explains the methods I used to transform my son's ADHD/ODD behavior from out-of-control to almost normal in 3 weeks. You also get 3 free videos: "How To Prevent Temper Tantrums." The sooner you start this, the easier it is to help your child. You CAN do this.

From Debra Sale Wendler - Respect Effect Mom and Respect Effect Parenting at http://www.AdhdParentingSuccess.com.