If your child has ADD or ADHD, then the first thing you can do to help your child is accept the diagnosis and begin learning more about the condition. The more you learn about the condition, the more that you are able to address the specific needs of your child. There are several legitimate sources of information for ADD/ADHD available over the Internet and even in libraries. Better yet, consult your child’s pediatrician. Ask the doctor if he or she can give you advise on how to deal with the matter. There are some health centers that provide seminars and give out brochures to help parents learn more about their child’s condition.
Once you have gotten comfortable with your role as a parent of a child with ADD/ADHD, then you will have to develop the necessary skills to be able to help your child in school. Children with ADD/ADHD usually have difficulties in school due to their condition. But this does not mean that they cannot go to school. They are absolutely capable of attending school and excelling, too.
Medication
If your child is diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, then the doctor would also prescribe the appropriate medication in order to help your child deal with the condition. The medication is designed to calm down your child. However, the currently available medications are all short-term. They last only for 2 to 4 hours and your child will have to take in his or her medicine more than once a day.
It is important for you to take note of this schedule given by your child’s doctor. This way, your child can pay attention in school and not miss out on the learning opportunities during the day.
Support system
First, an internal support system within the family must be established. The parents should be most involved in such system and should take every step to better understand their child’s condition. If you have other children, then they should also be made to understand the situation. The child afflicted with ADD/ADHD will need constant attention and understanding, and your other children should understand that this is not favoritism. A strong support system is essential if you want you child to do well in school. Your child has to know that he or she can feel comfortable when at home and should not feel stressed out when with family.
Next, the support system should extend to the extended family and the community. Lastly, the school should also be made a part of the loop. More often than not, children with ADD/ADHD are stigmatized in school because of their apparent bad behavior. It is not their fault, of course. It is important for you to create a support system within your community and within your child’s school environment in order to address this issue. Your child may not be able to perform in school if he or she is troubled by the environment. Inform the school personnel of your child’s condition and ask them to prevent the other kids from labeling your child. An information dissemination campaign will be helpful for them to understand the condition of your child.
The parents’ role
It is important to stress at this point that ADD or ADHD is not a result of bad parenting. ADD/ADHD is a condition that causes your child’s brain to produce less chemicals than normal. As a result of the decreased chemical production, you child’s brain does not work the same way as others.
This does not mean that you should rely on medication and any other scientific methods alone just to help your child. There are simple ways parents can help their child excel in school. For example, make a schedule for your child to follow. This way, your child can create a routine that he or she can easily learn and follow. Include school-related activities in this schedule so your child can get used to the concept of school. Set aside a certain time to help your child with his or her homework. Make sure not to allot too much time for homework. You can also break up the hour into 20-minute sessions.
It is important to create an environment of positive reinforcement with your child. It is better to reward him or her for good behavior and for the efforts he or she has exerted. This will teach your child the value of hard work and will make him or her strive to perform better in school.
All in all, dealing with a child with ADD/ADHD and how he or she performs in school is not a simple task. It takes a lot of patience and a lot of effort on your part as a parent. Make sure to get all the information you need and share these with your support group. The key to dealing with a child diagnosed with ADD/ADHD is understanding how to deal with it. Make your child feel comfortable with you and assure your child that he or she can feel comfortable in school, too.