ADVICE RATING |
  4.50 (Worth a try) from 18 votes (1124 Visits) |
My son was diagnosed with ADHD last year, while we were living on a Military Base. I was uneasy about medicating him, but I felt that unless I tried it, I would never know. So, for about 9 months, my son took Concerta. He had a monthly evaluation visit with his
doctor, and we upped the dose 3 times. IMO, he acted no differently On the medication than he ever did Off the medication, so it stopped.
Instead of medicating my son, I use a few simple-seeming tactics to help him focus and pay attention, especially in situations like school, when there is a lot of outside influence.
First, instead of saying, "Don't yell!!" I encourage him to use his "inside voice". This way, he isn't feeling negated, but instead, uplifted and challenged to find the nicest "inside voice" possible, which makes Mommie smile.
Second, we have imaginary "filters" inside of our ears, which have rechargeable batteries. Each night, as we sleep, the batteries charge up for us. Then, upon arriving at school or work in the morning, we turn the filters on, so that we hear the teacher or the boss speaking to us, but the other, incidental noises don't affect us as much nor as often.
Third, we have a reward chart. Across the top, I write the days of the week, Monday through Sunday. Down the left side, I write simple chores and/or things we are focusing on, in his behaviour and et cetera. Each night before bed, we look at the chart together and talk about each "chore" and whether or not we feel it is sticker-worthy. If he gets more than 3 "empties" each day, he gets no prize. But, if at the end of the week, he has gotten stickers in as many boxes as possible, within reason of course, then he gets to pick out a toy. (Note: discuss what the budget for this toy should be, with your spouse or SO. I take my son to Dollar Tree. There is no rule that states you must buy your child a yacht for doing well in school.)
Finally, just show as much patience as you can. Our little ones are just smaller people. Just because they don't share our views or experience, does not mean that they do not think, learn, see, or feel as we adults do. Most of the time, a lack of focus causes our child more frustration than it causes us. Hugs do wonders.
(September 2006) (
