Has Your Teen Been Diagnosed With ADHD? 4 Tips To Help Them Adjust
Being a teenager is hard enough without having the added difficulty of ADHD. If your teenager has been diagnosed with ADHD, they may find it difficult to concentrate on their work. They may also become easily distracted. Your physician may recommend medication and behavioral therapy to help treat the condition. However, it's important to note that there are steps that you can take at home that will make life easier for your teenager—and for you. Here are four steps that will help your teenager adapt to life with ADHD.
Be Consistent
Consistency is one of the most important things you can provide your teen when dealing with ADHD. Changes in plans, schedules—and even expectations—can make it difficult for your teen to stay on task. Sit down with your teen and create a routine that you can both agree on. This routine should include a set time for things like studying, free-time, as well as creating clear-cut guidelines for the expectations you have for your teen's behavior. Once you have the routine in place, you'll need to follow it with consistency.
Encourage Outside Activities
Teens with ADHD can have a hard time fitting in with peers. That's why it's crucial for you to encourage outside activities that your teen can enjoy. Being involved in activities that your teen can enjoy will allow them to experience their own successes, which will encourage them to get involved in other activities.
Stay Calm
It can be difficult to discipline a teen with ADHD, especially when it seems like they're not paying attention to you. However, losing your temper can actually exacerbate the situation and cause your teen to withdraw even further. Stay calm and explain exactly what they did wrong, as well as your reasoning for the discipline. Remaining calm will help your teen stay focused on what you're saying.
Encourage Rest
A good night's rest is crucial to kids with ADHD. A recent study found that symptoms of ADHD could be alleviated by treating sleep disorders associated with the condition. To help your child cope with the symptoms of ADHD, you should make sure they get plenty of rest. One way to do this is to have them shut all of their electronic devices off at least 30 minutes before they go to bed so that their brain has a chance to relax before they go to sleep.
Now that your teen has been diagnosed with ADHD, you'll need to do everything you can to help them adapt and adjust to the condition. These tips will help your child adjust to the changes. If you're interested in learning more about ADHD, or in having your child evaluated, consider contacting clinics like Rainbow Pediatrics.
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