Children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) are really very active children and they just can't stay in one place and they find it really very hard to be able to sit down and do nothing. They are fidgety and are always on the go. Also, kids with these are diagnosed as special children.

How do you think would you be able to handle this type of kid?

This is how I think parents would do to cope:

-Find the right homework and activity schedule. Some parents report that after school, it is impossible to do homework, but after a snack and an hour to "wind down" 15 minutes of homework followed by 5 minute breaks is possible Copied from the web.

-Break up tasks, just as the teacher does, using praise that targets specific behaviors. For example, cleaning up the bedroom can be easier with a sign that says something like "Step 1: Put all dirty clothes in the hamper. Step 2: Put all toys in the closet. Step 3: Put all clean clothes in a dresser drawer."

-Use guided praise: When a child does part of the task right, immediately reinforce that behavior, to keep them at it. Add "do" statements to your feedback like, "Always remember to look behind the chair for dirty clothes" instead of "Didn't you look behind the chair? I can see clothes on the floor back there. Pay attention!" Be specific about what is good, and focus on it instead of criticizing shortcomings.

-You have to remember to "pick your battles" though; who cares which drawer the clean shirts and socks are in, as long as they are in the dresser.

-Take other activities like going to the grocery store. Pick three rules for the trip, like "Rule 1: Stay with dad, don't run off. Rule 2: Ask before touching anything. Rule 3: No nagging for food." Barkley recommends taking a $2 roll of nickels and rewarding the child at the end of every aisle in the store if they behaved. Repeat the rules, point out how they adhered to them, and give them a nickel or two. At the end of the trip, the child can buy a pop or candy bar with their "earnings." Some parents call this bribery, while other offer that avoiding the headache and hassle by paying $2 is worth it.

-Ignore acting out/attention seeking behaviors, like temper tantrums. Use time outs effectively, targeting specific behaviors for correction and "let the rest go" until the target behavior problems are under control. A corner of the frozen food aisle in the grocery store, or a quick trip to the car for 10 minutes to remove the child from the environment can be helpful.

-Maintain teacher-parent feedback, and tie home rewards and consequences to home and school behaviors. You can make this easy for the teacher by sending a set of forms to him or her with a space for the date, your child's name already printed on it, and a safety pin to pin it to their jacket. Include your home or work number and the best time to call if possible.

-Rental privileges: Instead of going bankrupt buying things your child wants, buy them something they want and "rent" it to them. Good grades this week means free access to their bike next week, for example, but bad grades means losing the bike next week. Copied from the web.

-Changing reinforcers. Barkley argues that ADHD children become bored more quickly, and so be prepared to change reinforcers as the ones you pick and find work won't work forever. They are more effective when they are short-term ones that will soon be awarded. Promising a desired toy in exchange for one month of good behavior is like playing the lottery, Ingersoll says, in that the ADHD child has the same chances of winning one as the other.

-Don't reinforce in advance. Ingersoll gives for example allowing TV privileges in advance for chores done later. The ADHD child promises, and does intend to do it, but forgets, gets distracted, starts but doesn't finish... creating more problems than before.

-Use punishment effectively. Grounding for a month is never a useful threat. However, removal of privileges for a day after a warning works better, as does a work penalty, or extra chores for misbehavior. Likewise, time outs can work as well. Don'ts include yelling and screaming, ignoring behavior in the hopes it will go away, and finally nagging and criticizing. Do's include intervening early, reinforcing alternatives in behavior. For example, "You can't throw the ball in the living room. If you want to throw the ball, you can go downstairs and throw where there's nothing breakable, but if you want to stay in here you have to find something else to play with."

-Maintain organizational routines and schedules. Checklists, homework sheets, colorful reminders of routines, etc... can be very helpful in organizing a child. Don't over-schedule a child's week though, and keep things simple as much as possible. Simple furniture, simple routines, and simple chores make for an easier time at home. Tougher classes earlier in the day can also be helpful when their medication is at its peak. Sometimes, completing high school in four years with five days a week of seven classes is too much. A five year plan, with a lighter class load, might be more effective, especially if failing a grade is likely otherwise. Work with the school to build your child's or teen's schedule carefully, and make friends with your child's teacher and principle.

-Recognize your child's limits. Don't compare them to other kids and find them coming up short all the time, but do think ahead to situations that are likely to be problematic and see if you can think of ways to minimize these problems. Accept what he or she can't do for now and move on. Copied from the web.

Boost self-esteem. Praise and encouragement, coupled with peer acceptance go a long way. Positive social outlets, chances for exercise and "hyper activities" like outdoor games and time at the park may be very helpful.

Wow! Those were great tips for handling an ADHD child. It sure is going to help a lot of mothers in this forum and deserves to be in a sticky post.

I agree - what an awesome amount of information! Don't forget to take care of the "parent" as well. Unless you are balanced emotionally and physically, you are going to have a truly tough battle!