If your child struggles to control there ADHD, you may wonder how to help a child with ADHD without medications. Here’s how to help your child’s ADHD without medication.
Help Your Child’s ADHD Without Medication By Establishing a Routine
Children with ADHD do better in an environment with structure. You can help them stay focused and organized by coming up with mini rituals for daily activities. It is important to come up with a daily routine for your child, and make sure that they actually stick with it. It may take a week or two for them to get used to it, but after that, they will be able to focus as they move through their day.
For example, have him pick out clothes the night before. Then have all school supplies gathered in one spot every nightspot. In the morning, do the same routine each day.
Lead By Example
It is important for you to stay organized around the house to help your child learn that everything has a place. Engage in your own smooth routine. Not only will it keep your stress down and help you to stay in flow. Taking steps to reduce your own stress will help keep your child’s stress down as well. Brains attune to each other, so less stress for you is less stressful for everybody.
Watch the video I made for a quick explanation and keep reading below to learn more about the topic.
Control Your Child’s ADHD By Having Clear Expectations and Rules
Setting expectations is one thing. Holding your children to them is another. Kids with ADHD respond well to clearly defined and consistent systems of rewards and consequences. One way to help everyone stay accountable is to make a list of rules, rewards, and consequences. You can make this list as a family, and hang it somewhere for the whole family to see. This will remind your children of the rules that they not only agree upon, but they also helped make.
Now, when it comes to rewards and consequences, try to have rewards far outweigh consequences. Praise can oftentimes be forgotten. Your child is probably used to being told to improve their behaviors. They hear what they are doing wrong from teachers, coaches, and from you at home (it is parenting after all). But it is important to acknowledge when your child is doing something right. Catch them performing a task well and tell them “Great Job!”. Tell them exactly what you liked about how they did it and you will get more of that behavior.
Related: ADHD Medication Use Consistently Proven to Stunt Growth 2 Inches into Adulthood
Self-Care Can Be a Game-Changer In Helping Your Child’s ADHD
Getting stressed out from time to time is part of parenting. But when you’re calm and focused, you’re more likely to deal properly with the issues your child is dealing with. Managing your stress can change the stress levels in your home.
Find something you love and make it a priority in your routine. My favorites include morning alone time to read, mid-day workouts and walks, and especially evening bubble baths. These times of the day are just for me. Find time each day, just for you.
In addition to these at-home tips, Leigh Brain & Spine offers a med-free Child ADHD treatment in our center and at home. Our treatment options could help your child overcome some of those challenges that come with ADHD or other mental health-related challenges. Learn more about our at-home neurofeedback program by entering your information below.