e to. If they refuse to try, then that is touching the bounds of misbehaviour. Not everything that a child with ADHD does is due to their condition! They can behave just as badly as children without the disorder.

Provide them with difficult tasks in an isolated environment, without other stimuli, and you might be surprised at how they react. ADD is a misnomer – they don’t lack attention, they just have too much to pay attention t

Every child is unique, and the treatment for ADD and ADHD should recognise this. There is no set treatment and many doctors will prescribe Ritalin. However, there are many other ways to help sufferers from these conditions.

Behaviour management is important with young children. Even if other treatment does begin to work they have to be trained how to change their behaviour. To them, there is nothing wrong with the way they behave, and they cannot understand why they keep getting into trouble. The behavioural treatment should be very specific and focussed on getting them to behave as you want them to.

If you give an instruction, make it very clear what you want done. Don’t say ‘go and get washed’. Say ‘wash your hands’, or ‘wash your face’. Do not make assumptions. Your child might go upstairs, walk into the bathroom and get distracted by the cat. He or she might then come downstairs with the cat, not having washed, and not being aware that they should have. You should follow them and make sure that they obey the instruction.

Teachers can also help by being more specific in their communication. An ADD or ADHD child responds much better if spoken to personally. It’s not easy for a teacher to do, but if the child can be addressed separately from the rest of the class, at least for specific instructions, then they might respond better. Most teachers, however, do not have the time.

Rewards should be given when children make an attempt to pay attention, and punishments, such as loss of TV viewing, are permissible if they make no attempt. Do not, however, punish a child who has tried but failed. Be sympathetic and help them more the next time. They want to succeed in what you want them to do but are unable to. If they refuse to try, then that is touching the bounds of misbehaviour. Not everything that a child with ADHD does is due to their condition! They can behave just as badly as children without the disorder.

Provide them with difficult tasks in an isolated environment, without other stimuli, and you might be surprised at how they react. ADD is a misnomer – they don’t lack attention, they just have too much to pay attention t

ve, and they cannot understand why they keep getting into trouble. The behavioural treatment should be very specific and focussed on getting them to behave as you want them to.

If you give an instruction, make it very clear what you want done. Don’t say ‘go and get washed’. Say ‘wash your hands’, or ‘wash your face’. Do not make assumptions. Your child might go upstairs, walk into the bathroom and get distracted by the cat. He or she might then come downstairs with the cat, not having washed, and not being aware that they should have. You should follow them and make sure that they obey the instruction.

Teachers can also help by being more specific in their communication. An ADD or ADHD child responds much better if spoken to personally. It’s not easy for a teacher to do, but if the child can be addressed separately from the rest of the class, at least for specific instructions, then they might respond better. Most teachers, however, do not have the time.

Rewards should be given when children make an attempt to pay attention, and punishments, such as loss of TV viewing, are permissible if they make no attempt. Do not, however, punish a child who has tried but failed. Be sympathetic and help them more the next time. They want to succeed in what you want them to do but are unable to. If they refuse to try, then that is touching the bounds of misbehaviour. Not everything that a child with ADHD does is due to their condition! They can behave just as badly as children without the disorder.

Provide them with difficult tasks in an isolated environment, without other stimuli, and you might be surprised at how they react. ADD is a misnomer – they don’t lack attention, they just have too much to pay attention t

or she might then come downstairs with the cat, not having washed, and not being aware that they should have. You should follow them and make sure that they obey the instruction.

Teachers can also help by being more specific in their communication. An ADD or ADHD child responds much better if spoken to personally. It’s not easy for a teacher to do, but if the child can be addressed separately from the rest of the class, at least for specific instructions, then they might respond better. Most teachers, however, do not have the time.

Rewards should be given when children make an attempt to pay attention, and punishments, such as loss of TV viewing, are permissible if they make no attempt. Do not, however, punish a child who has tried but failed. Be sympathetic and help them more the next time. They want to succeed in what you want them to do but are unable to. If they refuse to try, then that is touching the bounds of misbehaviour. Not everything that a child with ADHD does is due to their condition! They can behave just as badly as children without the disorder.

Provide them with difficult tasks in an isolated environment, without other stimuli, and you might be surprised at how they react. ADD is a misnomer – they don’t lack attention, they just have too much to pay attention t

for specific instructions, then they might respond better. Most teachers, however, do not have the time.

Rewards should be given when children make an attempt to pay attention, and punishments, such as loss of TV viewing, are permissible if they make no attempt. Do not, however, punish a child who has tried but failed. Be sympathetic and help them more the next time. They want to succeed in what you want them to do but are unable to. If they refuse to try, then that is touching the bounds of misbehaviour. Not everything that a child with ADHD does is due to their condition! They can behave just as badly as children without the disorder.

Provide them with difficult tasks in an isolated environment, without other stimuli, and you might be surprised at how they react. ADD is a misnomer – they don’t lack attention, they just have too much to pay attention t

e to. If they refuse to try, then that is touching the bounds of misbehaviour. Not everything that a child with ADHD does is due to their condition! They can behave just as badly as children without the disorder.

Provide them with difficult tasks in an isolated environment, without other stimuli, and you might be surprised at how they react. ADD is a misnomer – they don’t lack attention, they just have too much to pay attention to! They get distracted. Provide no distractions and they can function normally, if there is such a thing!

The medical treatment for ADD and ADHD available is typified by Ritalin which is normally the first in the doctor’s arsenal. However, be careful, since it has side effects and is habit forming. It is effective however, and if nothing else can give parents a much needed respite from their child’s behaviour.

All treatment for ADD and ADHD should be customised to the child, and if the proper treatment is given they can live normal lives both as teenagers and as adults.

This article is for information only and the author accepts no liability for any actions taken. If you suspect that your child may be suffering from ADD or ADHD, please consult your doctor.