How to Decrease Hyperactive Behavior

Many creative, bright, and kind children can also be a teacher's worst nightmare. If your child is suspected of having ADHD, Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, struggles to settle into environments that require order and rigid rules are a constant. For parents attempting to manage these behaviors, a sense of frustration can erupt. Kids who receive poor to no direction can show an increase in hyperactive behaviors found to be most disruptive such as, fidgeting, inability to focus, constant movement and talkativeness.

Things You'll Need

• poster board
• reward stickers
• markers

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Instructions

Tips to Manage Hyperactive Behaviors

• 1

  Use behavioral management techniques. Parents of hyperactive children report mixed results with use of time outs.The best use of time out with hyperactivity needs to include clear expectations and consistent follow through. Flexibility in allowing mild movement during time out can be helpful. The goal of time out is to elicit self-calming. Calming tips and ways to simplify the home environment by the American Academy of Pediatrics can be viewed on an on-line video at aaporg/healthtopics/adhd.cfm.
  Redirection is another option. Hyperactivity often requires a change in focus. Providing a redirection, or applied distraction, can limit the child's excessive energy and decrease frustration for a caretaker. Educating a child on how to redirect for himself can promote independence and self-coping; for example, allow him to play a video game for only 20 minutes and then have him do something more creative, such as drawing.
  Charting those behaviors that a parent most wants to increase should identified in a point system. One simple way is to draw three vertical columns on a poster board. Column 1 includes those behaviors most wanted, such as waiting patiently in line without pushing, jumping or talking. Column 2 reports how often this behavior should be viewed--whether in line at lunch or for the bathroom. Column 3 space is for stickers. For every time spent in line where a child's behavior shows patience, a sticker is added. Identify a reward, based on the number of stickers, on the bottom of the chart.

• 2

  Increase outdoor activity.A study of children with ADHD, reported in the March 2009 Journal of Attention Disorders that those with greener play environments experienced less severe symptoms and functioned better. Get kids outside for extended periods of unstructured play. Download great colored fliers regarding coping with ADHD from the University of Illinois at lhhl.illinois.edu/adhd.htm.

• 3

  Consider nutrition. Eliminate caffeinated drinks. Parent have noted increases of hyperactivity from less than 6 ounces of caffeine. Test for food and other allergies, as children with hyperactive behaviors have been found to have common allergic histories. Reducing or managing allergies can reduce illness triggers to behaviors.

• 4

  Discuss medication with your child's doctor. Psychostimulant medications are often prescribed to reduce hyperactivity, particularly the impulsive behaviors. Common psychostimulants are Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall, Dexedrine and Strattera. They should only be used with a doctor's diagnosis of ADHD and in addition to other forms of treatment such as behavioral modification. For additional information, view Question and Answer on ADHD Medication by the American Association of Pediatrics at aap.org/family/safetypillsadhd/htm.