ADHD: Parenting Beyond Behavior, Beliefs, and Grades

When we look at the whole story of children diagnosed with ADHD, we find that hindsight reveals deeper challenges that have not received attention. While the average age of presentation is between 3 to 6 years of age with the average age of diagnosis coming at 7 years of age, developmentally, other pictures emerge. In taking history we learn of symptoms and challenges that were present from an early age. Eventually, those children diagnosed (and undiagnosed) have endured labels very different from the ones many parents do not want (ADHD, ODD, etc.). Most of these other identifiers come within relationships with peers, with family, with parents and teachers—and, most importantly, with one self. Unfortunately, in these early stages children do not have the self-confidence, cognitive or coping skills to manage the negative attention they often receive. The feelings and interactions are concrete and can set in stone less than positive ideas about oneself. So, when we consider parenting children with ADHD, it’s important to look beyond actions, executive functions, and what they are doing. It is deeply important to discover, uncover, and support who they are and who they are becoming. Here are some ideas to help this process: More Than Skills The common mantra is that ADHD children know what to do, but fail to execute at the point of performance. It is at this point of performance that children get noticed for what they are not doing. Unfortunately, what the child internalizes...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: ADHD and ADD Children and Teens Self-Esteem Stigma Students Success & Achievement grades Parenting School Performance Source Type: blogs