According to the National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education, researchers estimate that one to 20 percent of children have ADHD. Some parents and their doctors choose to medicate; some do not. Either way, virtually all ADHD children need treatment at home to help manage their condition.
Diet
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), research has found that five to 62 percent of children with ADHD have food allergies or sensitivities that cause or worsen their symptoms. Many parents get good results putting their child on a diet that eliminates common culprits such as artificial colorings and chemical additives, eggs, chocolate, milk, wheat and foods containing salicylates. If dietary change works for your child, you can make it easier by adding suspect foods in one at a time to identify your child's personal sensitivities. The UMMC says that, contrary to popular myth, sugar has no effect on ADHD.
Some ADHD diets eliminate caffeine. Marjorie Roth Leon, PhD, of National-Louis University found that caffeine improves ADHD symptoms for some children. Mark Stein, PhD, of Children's Hospital in Washington, D.C. cautions that nobody knows the long term effects, so use care.
Teach Compensatory Strategies
Substitute habit for attention wherever possible. Teach organization; eliminate clutter. A visually simplified environment is easier for your ADHD child to keep clean because she can recognize what is out of place. De-junk frequently. Everything should belong in a specific place and be put right back when she's through using it.
A regular daily routine is vital. It helps her maintain focus and manage transitions between activities. Make lists and calendars a habit. When her attention gets distracted in the middle of something, she can "find her thread" right away.
She may take longer to learn chores, leaving them incomplete. Ask her to show you how well she did a chore rather than asking her if she did it. Give her a checklist of elements of the chore--once a complete job is automatic, it will be less daunting for her.
Behavior Management
When you get bad behavior, instead of simply reacting, ask yourself why you aren't getting compliance.
Is he capable of doing the task? He may be balking at cleaning a messy room because the job seems impossible. If the work is complicated, either help him or take a book with you and sit in the same room. As he finishes each sub-task, tell him what to do next.
Does she believe she's capable of doing the task? You may still need to provide direct support until she gains confidence. She'll be proud of being able to do it herself; next time, you might not have to ask.
If you do need to motivate, children with ADHD are less responsive to rewards and punishments, so both need to be concrete and immediate. Be consistent. Respond to a particular bad behavior the same way every time. Use rewards as often as you can--take advantage of opportunities to catch him doing something good.
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