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Author:
Tara McGillicuddy

Structure

Yes, I know we all hate structure. If the world was perfect place we would not need it. It may be one of the most important things to help us survive in this non-ADD world. We also need the correct amount of structure in our lives. Too much makes us rebel or feel trapped. When we don't have enough structure we lose track of the world around us.

A schedule works well for both children and adults with ADD. Make a plan for each day. Make sure you give yourself or child "free time" or "self time" in that schedule. Children need at least an hour a day of uninterrupted play. I think adults need about the same amount of time to daydream, meditate, or just do nothing.

Positive Reinforcement

This is one thing that everybody needs more of not just ADD people. Children and adults respond better to positive reinforcement than they do to punishment. Try to take the words DON'T, CAN'T and NEED out of your vocabulary. If your child is running through the house tell him or her to walk instead of "not" to run.

Try to find the positive things that your child does. Make sure each day that the positive things you say out weigh the negative. Adults can do the same thing for themselves. Instead looking at all the things you haven't done make a list of ALL the things you have done. This may be hard at first but it will start to become a lot easier.

Break Things Down

Quite often people with ADD get overwhelmed with tasks and projects. Try to break things down into smaller parts. Breaking down the time spent on a task can also be helpful. Many people with ADD find doing things in 15 increments works well.

Good Nutrition

Eat more fruits and vegetables and drink water. Stay away from processed foods. Try to eat some protein for breakfast. Stay away from things like "poptarts". I'm not trying to say that poor nutrition causes ADD. However, good nutrition can help with many negative ADD behaviors. Processed foods aren't good for anybody ADD or no ADD.

Exercise

Daily exercise is a good idea for everybody. It helps both children and adults who have ADD.

Turn it Off!!!!

Turn off the TV, video games, computer, etc. No, I am not saying these things cause ADD, but too much does not help it either.

Research and Education

Do a lot of your own research about ADD. Don't think of the doctors as GOD. There are many great resources about ADD. Find as much information and then make your own decision about ADD.

Ask for Help and Support

Many People with Attention Deficit Disorders have trouble asking for help. Sometimes we are too embarrassed or we don't even realize we need help. Asking for help with little things may stop them from becoming HUGE problems.

Be Consistent!

You must be consistent! Even the best of advice won't work unless you do it on a regular basis. We all know that once we stop doing something it can be very hard to start up again. Children especially need consistency in their lives. Things get easier once they are done regularly.

About the Author :

Tara McGillicuddy is an ADD Coach and the director of http://www.addclasses.com. She helps educate and support people who are affected by ADD / ADHD. To learn more about ADD / ADHD sign up for the free E-Newsletter at http://www.supportforadd.com


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| Article Keywords: ADHD News

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to ADHD News... Research Shows... Facts About ADHD There are a lot of theories about ADHD, and a few of them are actually based in fact. I recently ran across some information from the National Institutes of Mental Health that I found really interesting. First off, brain imaging using MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) actually shows differences between the brains of kids with ADHD and kids without ADHD. There also does seem to be a sugar link in ADHD, but not what many people suspect. In adults with ADHD, the areas of the brain that control attention use less glucose and appear less active than the brains of people without ADHD. Research also shows a genetic link in ADHD, though it's still not clear exactly what causes Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. What is clear is that children who have ADHD usually have at least one close relative with ADHD. At least one-third of fathers with ADHD have an ADHD child. What's even more convincing is that it seems to run in twin pairs--if one identical twin has ADHD, the other usually does, too. In fact, I know a pair of identical twins with ADHD. Their mother has her hands full, I can tell you! The final interesting point I found in the ADHD research from NIMH was that studies of young children (ages 7 to 9) show that ADHD medication is more effective than behavioral therapies alone in controlling the "core symptoms" of ADHD-- inattention, hyperactivity/impulsiveness, and agression. When it came to ADHD-related anxiety, school performance and social skills, the combination of ADHD medications and behavioral therapy was more effective than either alone. It should be noted that behavioral therapy for ADHD was successful, just that it was more successful when combined with medication, according to these studies. You can read the ADHD research summary I'm referring to...