ADHD and LD . Based on specific symptoms and conditions, parents can also find customized advice and interactive tools at www.understood.org, including tutorials on teaching a child with ADHD how to tie his shoes, bedtime and chore checklists, sleep regulation ideas and behavior management recommendations. For school-age kids, Marotta says a collaborative relationship with your child’s teacher is vital to success. She suggests a daily behavior feedback sheet parents can review with their child. “The teacher may be able to identify predictable problem areas so parents can provide additional practice at home,” Marotta says. Identify your child’s favorite activities and learning styles and find outlets for their hyperactivity. ADDitude recommends activities like swimming, martial arts and tennis to help manage ADHD symptoms and hone skills such as self-control and discipline.
kids have difficulty falling asleep, and it was found that kids with ADHD slept for 45 minutes less a night than children who don’t have ADHD. A similar study published by the National Institutes of Health reports more than 60 percent of children with ADHD experienced delayed sleep onset, awakening in the night, restless sleep and daytime sleepiness. That’s three times greater difficulty falling asleep than the general population of children. What’s the correlation? The same regions of the brain regulate sleep and attention. Chronic sleep issues can be debilitating for families, but there are methods that can help. Daily exercise can increase the amount of deep sleep a child experiences. A consistent bedtime every day, even on weekends, regulates a child’s circadian clock to promote better sleep. While most kids need a bedtime routine, it can be critical for a child with ADHD to wind down the body and brain for as much as an hour before bed. Relaxation techniques enhanced by the apps Marotta recommends,
visualizations, calming music, deep breathing or a back rub can prepare the body for rest. A really dark room will keep your child from seeing things that might distract him or her from sleep. Utilizeresources Oftentimes it’s difficult for parents of kids with ADHD to know when to ask for help. Typical behavior for one child with ADHD might be atypical for another. Consult with doctors, therapists and teachers regularly to find the best symptom management techniques that work for your child. As MetroFamily Magazine assistant editor Lindsay Cuomo, mom of a child with ADHD, explains: “Will the behavior work out on its own or get worse? I am sure that goes for all parenting but often you see other kids similar in age capable of things your child isn’t and the comparison game complicates things.” For expert advice, parenting strategies and support, Goett recommends the magazine ADDitude: Strategies and Support for 3
METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / FEBRUARY 2020 45
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting