Tips for Parents

Suspect your child has ADHD?

Parents can conduct an initial self-assessment of their children using the following criteria, which I've compiled based on my personal experience and consultations with clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, relevant literature, books, and information from therapy centers. These criteria can aid in making initial observations. However, it's important to remember that the suggested assessment below only serve as guideposts and are not a replacement for professional diagnosis. If uncertainty clouds your judgment, it's advisable to steer your course towards arranging a professional diagnostic assessment for your child to uncover the presence of ADHD.

Preliminary Assessment for Inattention (AD):

Difficulty paying attention to details, frequently making careless mistakes in schoolwork or other activities;
Struggles to sustain attention in work or play activities;
Appears not to listen when spoken to;
Has difficulty completing assigned tasks like schoolwork or chores (not due to oppositional behavior or not understanding instructions);
Has difficulties with organizing tasks and activities;
Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort, such as schoolwork or chores;
Frequently loses or forgets items necessary for work or play, like toys, pencils, or school assignments;
Easily distracted by unrelated things; and
Forgets daily routines and requires frequent adult reminders.

Preliminary Assessment for Hyperactivity (HD):

Has difficulty sitting quietly in their seat, fidgets or plays with hands and feet;
Often leaves their seat without permission in the classroom or in other situations where they are expected to remain seated;
Engages in inappropriate running, jumping, climbing, etc. in the classroom or during activities;
Finds it challenging to participate quietly in games and leisure activities;
Is often on the go or acts as if "driven by a motor”;
Talks excessively;
Answering questions before others have finished asking;
Unable to take turns or wait patiently during games or group activities; and
Frequently interrupts or disrupts others, such as butting into others' games or conversations.

If the following conditions are met, it is more likely that the child has symptoms of ADHD:

Observations show that the child's symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity have persisted for six months or more;
These symptoms appeared before the child reached 12 years of age;
These issues have been observed in two or more settings, such as at home, school, etc;
The persistent symptoms have negatively impacted the child's learning, social development, or relationships with family members; and
the child's performance is not due to intellectual or other developmental disabilities.

Note: The above preliminary assessment results are for reference only and cannot be used for professional diagnosis. If in doubt, parents can arrange a professional diagnostic assessment for their children to determine whether they have ADHD.

Parenting Strategies

If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, what essential aspects should you keep in mind to aid in their adjustment and development? Below, I'll share some of the techniques my parents employed to support me, along with the skills I gained through behavioral therapy before entering my teenage years.

1. Adjust Your Perspective: Start by changing how you see things. When dealing with your child's behavior, remember to be patient. Your child isn't trying to be difficult; their ADHD isn't something they can control. Understand their situation and be there to face challenges together.

2. Change the Environment: If you notice that your child gets distracted easily by things around them, make some changes. For example, if they have trouble concentrating on homework because of toys, remove the toys. If they often look out the window instead of studying, consider closing the curtains.

3. Use Visual Reminders: Some children with ADHD struggle with managing their time and tend to procrastinate. In these cases, create schedules with time limits and steps using pictures or writing.

4. Understand Before Teaching: When your child shows challenging behavior, try to understand why it's happening. Break down the behavior using the ABC framework: what happened before (Antecedent), the behavior itself, and what happened afterward (Consequences). Additionally, offer clear and straightforward instructions while your child is attentive, aiding them in comprehending your expectations.

5. Memory Tricks: Kids with ADHD often forget things. Teach them tricks to remember important stuff. For example, use a phrase like "Hat, Towel, Notebook" to remind them to put these things in their backpack before school. Make it a habit by saying the phrase and doing the action.

6. Rewards and Praise: When your child does something good, make sure to reward and praise them. This helps them feel appreciated and keeps them on the right track.

7. Work with School: Since kids spend a lot of time at school, it's like a second home. Teachers get to know them well. Talk to your child's teachers to understand their school life. Since ADHD symptoms need to show up in more than one place, compare notes with the teachers. If your child does have ADHD, working together with the school is important to make sure everyone expects the same things at home and in school. This helps your child adapt and do better.