| Ten Tips on Structuring and
Organizing the life of the child with ADD |
| |
| Write
down the problem. Sit down with the child, or the whole
family, and write down exactly where the problem areas
are - the dining room table, the bedroom, the bathroom,
wherever. It is good to define, and thereby limit, the
problem instead of leaving it in the realm of the
infinite. |
| Come
up with specific remedies for each problem area. |
| Make
use of concrete reminders like lists, schedules, alarm
clocks, and the like. |
| Incentive
plans are fine. Don't think of them as bribes, but rather
as incentives. Children with ADD are born entrepreneurs. |
| Give
requent feedback. Kids with ADD often don't see what they
are doing as they are doing it. Don't wait until the
house is completely torn apart before suggesting that it
be put back together. |
| Give
responsibility wherever possible. For example, if the
child is old enough to get up on his own in the morning,
give him the responsibilty for doing that. If he misses
his ride to school, let him pay for a cab out of
allowance or other earnings. |
| Make
copious use of praise and positive feedback. More than
most people, people with ADD blossom under the warmth of
praise. |
| Consider
using a coach or tutor when it comes to school work. You
do not want to give up your role as parent to an ad hoc
role of supervisor-tutor-badgerer-teacher. |
| Provide
the child with whatever devices he or she demonstrates
can help. Ask the child what will help. Experiment with
different plans and devices. |
| Always
remember: Negotiate, don't struggle. |
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