Any parent knows that while children can be angels, they can also be extremely frustrating when behavior problems arise.
For those children suffering from ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, the normal solution for those behavior problems will not always work.
What type of behavior problems? Children suffering from ADHD tend to exhibit certain behaviors and are therefore prone to specific sorts of behavior problems.
These behaviors include climbing all over the furniture, which usually leads to that favorite vase or ceramic being knocked over and broken.
ADHD children also cannot sit still and keep themselves entertained, which can be very frustrating for a parent who is trying to get things accomplished, even though a parent is aware the child means well and is not behaving this way on purpose.
There are things a parent can do, however, to make everyone's lives easier and more tolerable in a home with a child with ADHD.
Behavior Modification Techniques One of the most important things for someone with ADHD is to have an established routine.
We all have our routines and we all know what happens when that routine gets disrupted one too many times.
For children with ADHD, the disrupting of the routine is even more difficult to handle.
This means figuring out what tasks you want your child to do on a daily basis.
Things like waking up at the same time every day, eating breakfast, and then suggesting they play with the same toy or toys located in the same area of the house can go a long way to helping an ADHD child become more focused.
The key to establishing a routine is reinforcing that routine.
While things do come up and it is impossible for routines to be stuck to every day, do your best to stick to it.
Keep a list of the tasks you want your child to do every day, and set up a time limit in which to get the list done.
If your child does as you have asked, reward them.
Establishing routines can go a long way in helping prevent behavior problems associated with ADHD.
The use of a system of small rewards and punishments to reinforce behavior is important in all children, but especially so for those with ADHD.
When your child starts climbing all over the furniture, a quick warning and then a brief, negative consequence.
Just remember to be quick with reinforcing behaviors and to have more positive rewards than negative consequences.
Both you and your child will be much happier.