Do kids with ADHD struggle with impulse control?
Freeda Pollich
2025-07-05 23:39:21
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Children with ADHD are often labeled unruly or aggressive because of their impulsive physical and social interactions. Even though these children can be caring and sensitive, their good qualities are often overshadowed by their poor impulse control. The reason: Children with ADHD act before they think, often unable to control their initial response to a situation. The ability to self-regulate is compromised; they can’t modify their behavior with future consequences in mind. Some studies show that differences in the brain in those who have ADHD are partly responsible for this symptom. The lack of impulse control is perhaps the most difficult symptom of ADHD to modify. It takes years of patience and persistence to successfully turn this around. Children with ADHD have difficulty telling right and wrong, so parents must be specific, stating clear, consistent expectations and consequences. Children with ADHD need to understand their responsibility to control themselves.
Pete Abshire
2025-06-23 22:14:56
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Impulsivity, in the clinical sense, can be neatly defined as “action without foresight.” I would speak without raising my hand, interrupt the class with emotional outbursts, and get out of my desk so often I’m surprised the use of duct tape was never bandied around the teacher’s lounge. I would get asked why I was doing any of it and I never had a clear answer — even to myself. I didn’t like drawing that bad sort of attention to myself. It was humiliating. I was an impulsive child and I am a slightly less impulsive adult. We all have our moments of it, but for me it can feel like a dozen controllers are all in charge of my brain at once and nobody is checking in with each other before they’re pushing buttons. Especially in stressful conditions, I find I tend to move first and then process and deal with my actions second. I’m not going to lie, impulse control is one of the trickiest parts of ADHD.
Malika Hirthe
2025-06-23 18:21:49
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For children with attention deficit disorder (ADHD or ADD) who are ruled by their impulses, calling out in class or pushing to the front of the line comes naturally. Kids with ADHD live in the moment, undeterred by rules or consequences. For them, impulse control means learning how to stop and think before acting. Lack of impulse control may be the most difficult ADHD symptom to change. Medication can help, but kids also need effective behavior management strategies in place — clear expectations, positive incentives, and predictable consequences — if they are to learn to regulate their behavior. Discipline should be immediate, such as having a child sit out part of recess if he pushes another student on the playground. A delayed consequence — such as after-school detention — doesn’t work for kids who have trouble anticipating outcomes. Provide visual reminders to keep kids on track, such as a reminder taped to the desk, to help them stay in control.
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