How to teach ADHD child impulse control?
Velma Hyatt
2025-06-15 00:42:18
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Give praise and rewards when rules are followed. Children with ADHD often receive and expect criticism more than other children. Give practical directions or commands. Make eye contact or gently touch your child's arm or shoulder to get their attention. Give brief, simple steps and short commands that get to the point rather than multiple directions or wordy statements and questions. Establish healthy habits. If your child is on medication for ADHD, make sure they take it as prescribed. Develop routines around homework and chores. Work together to make a checklist of what needs to be done daily for your child to refer to, including such tasks as chores, getting ready for bed and preparing for school. Help your child build relationships, develop strong social skills and maintain friendships.
Nia Dickens
2025-06-01 06:26:05
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: 13
To help build impulse control, Dr. Davenport uses a “Stop-Think-Go” model. In this model, parents or educators help a teen to practice stopping before acting on impulse, help them think about possible actions, and encourage them to go with their best choice. Dr. Davenport says teens should ask themselves the following questions before acting: Is it going to hurt anyone, Is it going to hurt me. This step-by-step framework encourages teens, with some adult support, to create a pause before they act. Talking through potential situations where teens may act impulsively is a good place start the conversation. Keys to developing better self-awareness, according to Dr. Davenport, include helping your teen think about who else is around, what is happening in that moment, and what they are thinking and feeling right before the impulsive actions. Asking your teen to think about whether they are overwhelmed, tired, or overstimulated in certain situations can help them discover their own potential tripping points for impulsivity. Dr. Harrison recommends using tools that can lessen a child’s impulsivity, including good sleep habits and routines. Proper nutrition is an especially important tool to include if medication is part of their ADHD treatment plan.
Stevie Swaniawski
2025-06-01 06:21:40
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: 14
Posting classroom rules and routines lets children know what’s expected of them, and also serves as a visual reminder for those with ADD who act before they think. Tape “behavior cards” to their desks, some children benefit from seeing rules like “Raise hands before speaking,” etc. posted directly on their desks. Be prepared for impulsive reactions, in situations where a lack of structure or another circumstance might set off an impulsive reaction, have a plan ready to help ADHD kids keep their impulses in check. Perhaps the ADHD student can be given a special job, such as “monitor” or “coach,” to help him stay focused on self-control. Provide positive feedback too, be sure to also offer immediate, positive feedback and attention when kids with ADD behave well. Children with ADHD have difficulty telling right and wrong, so parents must be specific, stating clear, consistent expectations and consequences. Telling your child to “be good” is too vague to address behavioral problems, instead, be explicit. Punishment must come soon after the misbehavior, let the punishment fit the crime, and keep punishments brief and restrained, but let them communicate to your child that he’s responsible for controlling his behavior.
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