ADHD & Kids: 9 Tips to Tame Tantrums

In kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), impulsivity manifests in many different ways. “Kids can impulsively run into the street. They can hit another student in line at school. They can climb up on the roof and jump off, hoping to fly like Superman,” said Terry Matlen, ACSW, a psychotherapist and author of Survival Tips for Women with AD/HD. And they can have tantrums. There are many reasons why kids with ADHD have meltdowns. For instance, “for many children with ADHD there is no internal understanding of ‘later.’ It’s now or now,” Matlen said. They have a hard time putting their wants and needs on hold. Because they’re kids, they’ve also yet to learn how to calm themselves or express their needs and emotions appropriately, she said. “A little disappointment becomes the end of the world and nothing seems to stop the child from, what looks like, obsessing over their intense needs of that moment.” They also might feel overwhelmed by external events, such as “too much noise or excitement at a party… Combined, these symptoms make it very hard to stay calm when under stress or when they feel fearful or anxious.” When your child has a tantrum, especially in public, it can be tough to know how to respond. Some parents vacillate from one extreme to another, from placating their child and giving in to punishing them and getting angry, according to Matlen. But while it might seem impossible, you can navigate the rocky road of tantr...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Attention Deficit Disorder Children and Teens Disorders General Parenting Self-Help Adhd Adhd Kids Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Adhd Children With A Source Type: news