© 2000 Jordan Institute
for Families

Guidelines for Parents of Children with Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder (AD(H)D)

• Assign only one task at a time and have the child repeat the instructions.

• Soak success in praise and pride.

• Expectations and consequences should be worked out in advance and followed consistently by all adults in the home and at school.

• Focus on shaping new positive behaviors rather than eliminating the negative ones.

• Develop and maintain a predictable daily schedule, especially for completing homework assignments.

• Anticipate and plan for sleep problems; seek medical assistance if they become severe.

• Seek counseling and consultation to help with the day to day management of the child.

Sources

Aust, P. (1994). When the problem is not the problem: Understanding attention deficit disorder with and without hyperactivity. Child Welfare, 74,(3), 215-227.

North Carolina Family and Children's Resource Program. (1994). What is ADD/ADHD. In Caye, J. (Ed.) Performance Based Core Curriculum in Child Welfare, pp. 6-45 through 6-49. Chapel Hill, NC: Author.