The Three R’s To Help ADD/ADHD Children Routines, Rules and Rewards
Generally speaking, we human beings do better when we follow a routine. Whether we are at work,
play or just relaxing, we are often less anxious when we are in a predictable, structured pattern known as a routine. ADD/ADHD children often do better at home and at school when there is structure, an orderly schedule of events and few surprises. The surprise element in our lives is often stimulating. It often gets our adrenal glands flowing, which in turn raises our level of anxiety. For many individuals this stimulation promotes motivation and desire to do something. For many ADD children, however, the opposite effect may occur.This may force the student to shut down, lose concentration and/or retreat. ADHD children may begin to act out, lose their focus and start to pace the room. For this reason, predictable routines, rules and rewards (incentives) seem to work for children diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. Parents working with an ADD/ADHD child may utilize the examples of routines, rules and rewards listed below.
· Place a poster board of daily routines on the child’s bedroom wall that spells out what the child must do everyday. Don’t get carried away. Make it simple and precise. The same poster board routine may also be placed on the outside cover of your child’s notebook for school. The poster may include:
Wake up at 7:00 a.m.
Shower at 7:10 a.m.
Eat breakfast at 7:25 a.m.
Brush teeth at 7:35 a.m.
Get backpack at 7:40 a.m.
Go to bus at 7:45 a.m.
· Some ADD/ADHD children have been successful wearing a watch that beeps to remind them to complete a task for follow directions.
· Have your child study in the same place during the same time of day whenever possible. Make sure that the décor in the room is not too busy looking or distracting to the child’s eye. No music and no TV!
· Establish posted rules for your child to follow. Be consistent on a day-to-day basis. One hour of TV per day means just that! See the chapter on rules for more information.
· Be consistent in assigning your child chores and task to accomplish around the house on a day-to-day basis. Have the chores listed and placed in a place where your child can read them each day.
· Make the incentives or rewards that you provide your child for accomplishing set rules and following routines “natural rewards.” Natural rewards or incentives are things that your child would naturally receive with one catch- they earn it! Such rewards may include pizza (or a favorite food) with friends, sleep over with friends, rent or order a movie or lunch with you! Make it simple and well within your budget. You don’t want to teach your child that he or she needs to accomplish a task in order to get a reward. You do want to teach your child that following a routine will help them succeed.
· Part of the reward plan may include a point system. Establish a system where your child can earn points for accomplishing a task or following a routine for the day. Help the child to set a goal to reach a certain number of points for the week, month and year. Place an incentive for each point total reached. Set up a chart or a graph so that the child can see their accomplishments. Keep it positive. If the child did not reach their goal for the day, let him or her know that new point goals will begin each day.
· Establish a routine for the entire family to follow. Don’t go crazy all at once. This can be done slowly and naturally. A good time to begin is at the beginning of the school year, month, birthday or other natural breaks in the year.
