Home Interventions Supporting Children Living with ADHD
by By Caitlin R. Foley, MSEd, LPC
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders found in children. Children living with ADHD may exhibit symptoms related to hyperactivity and/or impulsivity, or inattention. Children who present predominantly with hyperactivity-related symptoms may talk excessively, interrupt others, fidget in their seat or leave their seat when expected to remain seated, and/or seem to have endless energy that includes running, jumping, and/or climbing. Those who present with predominantly inattentive-related symptoms may struggle with organization, staying focused or on task, listening to conversations or instructions, may frequently lose or misplace items, can be easily distracted, and/or may avoid tasks that require a significant amount of effort and focus. Children may also present with a combined presentation of ADHD and exhibit symptoms of both
hyperactivity and inattention.
Living with ADHD can be extremely challenging for children, at times, and can impact them emotionally, socially, and academically. Children with ADHD may become frustrated with their limitations, which can lead to emotional dysregulation, behavior challenges, and struggles with self-esteem. As parents and guardians, it can be overwhelming and challenging to support children living with ADHD, as emotions and behaviors can seemingly escalate unexpectedly and with great intensity. However, by consistently implementing interventions at home, parents and guardians can help their child cope with and manage their symptoms of ADHD.
Here are a few interventions that can easily be implemented in the home.
Intervention #1: Clear Expectations Surrounding Time and Routine
Children living with ADHD benefit from a consistent schedule and identified places for belongings. Having a consistent daily schedule (e.g. bed-time, time allotted for play, etc.) provides children with clear expectations for the day and how much time they can expect to have for each activity. This decreases the possibility of children rejecting or ignoring prompts to complete tasks or end activities because they know they will have the same expectations and
opportunities again the next day. Giving some attention to the organizational systems of your home can also support a reduction in children misplacing items if they have a designated container or space.
● For children who are visual learners, create a daily schedule utilizing poster board, Velcro, and pictures for the various daily activities.
● Place Velcro next to each hour or half hour, then attach the pictures of activities to the designated times for each.
● Utilizing the Velcro you can change the schedule as needed.
● Your child can then refer to this throughout the day and know what to expect at any given time.
Intervention #2: Limit Distractions and Plan
One of the most significant struggles children living with ADHD experience is remaining focused and on task. Parents and guardians can help their child increase their ability to focus by designating a specific quiet area for completing homework away from the television, windows, or other possible distractions.
● Create a plan with your child that includes setting a timer for completing tasks and taking breaks in between.
● Set the timer for an amount of time that you and your child know is reasonable (such as 5-10 minutes).
● Once the timer goes off, provide your child with a 5-minute break to take a movement break (e.g. walk around, jump on a trampoline), draw, or watch a short video.
● Continue alternating until the task is complete.
● You may also want to consider providing your child with a checklist they can refer to while completing homework and other tasks. This will help the child keep track of their progress.
Intervention #3: Be Specific and Offer Choices
Children living with ADHD have difficulty listening to and processing extensive amounts of information. Should your instructions take more than 2 minutes to explain and are generalized, it is likely that your child will not have been able to take in all the information and you may have to explain yourself again.
● Provide your child with directions or information that are concise and include specific wording.
● If you are asking your child for their preference for an item or activity, only provide them with 2 or 3 choices. Too many choices may overwhelm your child and make it difficult for them to make any decisions.
Intervention #4: Positive Reinforcement
One of the most effective ways to support children living with ADHD is also the simplest: praise.
● Praise your child any time you notice them exhibit a desired behavior, big and small.
● Provide verbal praise and/or hugs/high fives after your child cleans up after themselves or sits down to complete their homework without any prompting from you.
● By providing your child with immediate praise, they are learning in the moment that they have exhibited a positive behavior. The praise increases the likelihood of your child displaying correct behaviors continuously.
To further reinforce your child’s positive behavior, create an interactive rewards system or token economy to help your child keep track of their own progress.
● Sit down with your child and discuss what goals you both have for your child (e.g. consistently waking up on time, completing their chores and/or homework with little to no prompts).
● Decide how you will keep track of your child’s progress, such as creating a poster and placing stickers each time they exhibit a desired behavior, or give your child tokens that they can physically hold on to.
● Decide what rewards your child may earn after receiving a certain number of stickers or tokens. These rewards should be easily attainable and things your child genuinely enjoys (e.g. going out for ice cream, extra screen time, picking the family movie for the night).
References
“Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Teens: What You Need to Know.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2021,
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-in-children-and-
teens-what-you-need-to-know.
“Behavior Therapy for Children with ADHD.” Healthy Children, American Academy of Pediatrics, 2023, www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/adhd/Pages/Behavior-Therapy-Parent-Training.aspx.
Elmaghraby, Rana, and Stephanie Garayalde. What Is ADHD?, American Psychiatric Association, June 2022, www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd.
