When the diagnosis of ADHD affects your child, many parents reach the limits of their resilience. Clear structures are important, but also love, care, understanding and the right level of praise. Read the best tips for parents here.
If your child has ADHD, then for the parents, in addition to caring for the child, it also means a nervous ordeal. Regardless of whether it's brushing your teeth, doing your homework or going to bed – everyday processes often become a struggle. No wonder that many parents reach their limits here.
Added to this are the boring looks of the others when the child is behaving conspicuously in public and the feeling of doing something wrong yourself.
At a glance:
Diagnosis and ADHD treatment
A reliable diagnosis of ADHD is often the first step in relieving parents of some of the strain and making it clear to them: "It's not my fault – my child is sick and suffers from it!" Tormenting self-doubts can finally be shaken off after many years. However, the active participation of parents is particularly challenged: they have to create the framework so that they and their child can live with the diagnosis of ADHD as well as possible.
The basis for living with a child suffering from ADHD is individually tailored treatment. Special medication, behavioral training and psychotherapeutic measures play a role here as building blocks of therapy.
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How parents can tell whether their child's hyperactivity or lack of concentration is still normal or is already a sign of ADHD.
to the ADHD test
Tips for parents of children with ADHD
In addition, parents are the most important support for children with ADHD. But how can you be a support yourself when the stress and the many daily conflict situations keep pushing you to the limit of your own resilience? What if you don't know what to do and just lose your patience? There are some tips that parents of children with ADHD can consider to make everyday life better for everyone.
Tip 1: rules
A major problem with ADHD is overstimulation. The children are often unable to correctly classify the stimuli flowing to them and it is particularly difficult for them to set priorities correctly. It is therefore all the more important to provide ADHD children with clear rules and structures in their upbringing. It is best if you develop these rules together with your child.
Also tell the child that violations of the rules are not without consequences. However, do not overload everyday life with principles and paragraphs: set priorities and emphasize in an understandable way what is important to you. Talk to your partner about this too, after all, all parents should convey unity in their behavior towards the child.
Examples of important rules:
- Everyone stays calm at the table during a meal.
- Siblings are not beaten or pulled by the hair.
- After 8 p.m. no more television.
Tip 2: structure in the day
Everything that conveys habit also creates a feeling of security and calm. This is particularly important for children affected by ADHD. Therefore, the parents should create structure and maintain it with consistency.
Examples of structures in the daily routine:
Tip 3: Always praise
Of course, with ADHD it makes sense to be preprogrammed for the next conflict situation. There are always enough reasons for trouble. But be careful – try to correct your perspective a little. Pay attention to the positive behaviors and always consciously praise your child for things that do it well. This not only makes your child feel good, but also you.
Tip 4: space for movement
Children with ADHD also need the opportunity to give in to their urge to move. The aim is to offer enough opportunities to let off steam in order to strike a healthy balance between rest and movement.
Certain, regularly practiced sports such as soccer or handball regularly exercised sports such as soccer or handball have a positive effect on some children with ADHD: Attention and memory improve through exercise. In addition, your child's ability to integrate is trained in such team sports. If there are motor disorders, special offers such as therapeutic riding can also be used. Talk to your doctor about the different options.
Tip 5: Low-stimulus environment
A low-stimulus environment can support therapeutic measures. According to the concept of "Snoezel rooms", you can design a corner of the room or the entire children's room at home so that the child can rest as well as possible. Furniture and decoration that appeal to the senses should be reduced. Instead, a cozy corner with blankets and soft music contrasts with the hectic everyday life. The consciously used rest – combined with care and love – can reduce behavioral disorders and sometimes make medication superfluous.
Tip 6: love and care
When dealing with a child suffering from ADHD, one thing counts above all: love and care. But that can sometimes be difficult. The situation is too stressful for the nerves, too often there have been conflict situations or even escalations. So always make yourself aware of the positive aspects of your child. What are its strengths? Which distinctive traits characterize your child and make it so unique? Don't be stingy about showing your love to the child too.
Tip 7: healthy eating
Fat food is heavy in the stomach and makes it difficult to concentrate. What applies to employees and to the canteen also applies to children. Here too, light, balanced food should be on the menu. Pay attention to the right nutrients like vitamins and minerals. Especially omega-3 fatty acids should not be missing from a diet for ADHD.
These foods provide omega-3 fatty acids
ADHD in children: support for parents
Parents of ADHD children also often need professional support and tips from social workers or other experts. In parent training, those affected learn together with like-minded people under the guidance of a coach to master typical conflict situations. Last but not least, such training is about putting the good side of the child back in the center.
Other parents want a qualified parent trainer who comes home and assesses the individual situation accordingly and gives practical tips. No matter what you choose – get professional help if you want this support.
Don't forget your own needs
It is not uncommon for parents of ADHD children to be caught in the burnout trap. Then you cannot give your children the support that is so urgently needed. Therefore: Treat yourself to time out and do what you enjoy.
Support is needed for this. Perhaps your mother, mother-in-law or best friend is ready to take care of the offspring for a few hours? Of course, it is then important to also inform the supervisor about ADHD and some basic rules.
Help for parents of children with ADHD is available online, by telephone, in forums and self-help groups:
- adhs365.de: Self-help forum for parents and adults with ADHD
- Anderswelt Forum: In this forum, parents of children with ADHD can exchange ideas with other affected people in the community.
- Telephone counseling: The telephone counseling service provided by ADHS Deutschland e.V. will quickly answer questions from those affected, parents, relatives and teachers.
- Find self-help groups: Here, affected persons can find self-help groups in their area, stating their postcode.
- Online self-help group: Those who do not have the opportunity to visit a self-help group on site can also exchange information in self-help groups online.
ADHD in adults and children: 20 important symptoms
