Behavior Modification Activities for ADHD

As a parent of a child with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you have undoubtedly found yourself feeling exasperated, angry or, frankly, at wit's end. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, behavior modification is an important component of treating ADHD. Helping your child get a handle on his behavior is one of the most important things you can do for him--and for yourself. Whether you also use medication management, behavior modification can benefit you both.

Provide Structure

• Sticking to a routine will help keep your ADHD child on track. Structure is familiar and comforting to her. Knowing what to expect during the day and what behavior is expected of her will help keep her grounded. Use timers to stay on schedule in the morning and at bedtime. Make sure she knows in advance if something out of the ordinary is on the schedule: "Remember, sweetie, I'll pick you up early from school today for your doctor appointment."

Give Warnings

• Warning your child before changing activities is key to defusing the meltdowns that occur when he is interrupted in the middle something fun. A simple five-minute reminder, "Honey, in five minutes you'll have to put the toys away and come have dinner," is often all it takes for him to internally transition from one activity to another. With younger children, give warnings at five minutes, two minutes and then one minute.

Break Tasks Into Bite-Sized Chunks

• A child with ADHD is easily overwhelmed; picking up her bedroom could take all day. Break up the chore into manageable pieces with a checklist she can use to remind her of what needs to be done: pick dirty clothes up off the floor, make the bed, put toys in the closet. Make it fun by posting the list on an easel with big boxes next to each item, so she can check it off or put a sticker next to it.

Use Rewards and Consequences

• Rewarding your child for his accomplishments will motivate him. Make a sticker chart or use points that will earn him a prize by the end of the week--staying up a half-hour past bedtime or having ice-cream for dessert. Praise him throughout the week for good behavior. Alternatively, make sure he knows appropriate consequences follow misbehavior--if he doesn't turn off the TV when it's time for dinner, it stays off after dinner.

Choose Your Battles

• Living with ADHD can feel like combat, but you don't have to win all the time. Choose your battles and let her have the rest. How important is it that she takes her vitamins if she's eating her broccoli and drinking her milk? But if you're in the mall, it's extremely important that she doesn't wander off or hide from you in the racks of clothes. Choose that battle to win. It will make more of an impression on her, and she will be more likely to listen, if you choose your battles wisely.