Call to speak with Dr. Ferrari ADHD SPECIALIST
(714) 990-6536
Self-esteem, or self-image is a critical determinant of who we are, how we feel about ourselves and how we operate in the world. When an individual has a disorder which interferes with their ability to perform and/or behave properly, such as ADD, self-esteem takes on a far more important role in how much they succeed in, and enjoy life. With this in mind, here are some methods for protecting and nurturing the self-esteem of a child with ADD.
- Alter Your Belief System. Prior to the improving their self-esteem, the adults in their life need to alter the way they view the child. Separate the child from the behavior, and separate the child from the disorder. These are not ADD children. They are good and valuable children who happen to have ADD.
- Don’t Be Reactive. Damaging responses such as blame and anger diminish when you stop, look, listen, and think,… then respond.
- Catch The Child Being Good. Give the child lots of praise, encouragement, recognition, and positive attention. Reward the child for the expectations they do meet. Never shame, embarrass, mock, or ridicule a child.
- Nourish The Child’s Sense Of Competence, Self-Confidence and Responsibility.
- Identify their strengths and capacities
- Based on the above, determine realistic expectations
- Play to the child’s strengths, create and structure activities-opportunities with high chances for success
- Assign special jobs
- Nurture special interests (hobbies, collections)
- Establish activities and goals, which are well within their reach
- Reward them for success in the above immediately and frequently
- Play with your child. Let the child choose and direct the game. Quite frequently (not too obviously) let them win.
While all of these methods are effective in helping children with ADD, the greatest way of helping them would be to correct the condition, thereby removing the problem entirely, and letting them achieve their true maximum potential.
Many parents resist identifying and treating attention deficit disorder because they, understandably, are not in favor of subjecting their children to the side effects and rigors of medication. There is, however, a successful alternative to this scenario. Neurofeedback is a non-drug, painless, side effect free, procedure in which the person learns to retrain the attention mechanisms of the brain, alleviating the condition. Once treatment is complete, no further training is necessary.
To request information on the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD, ADHD), Mild to Moderate Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sleep Disorders, Chronic Depression, Chronic Anxiety, and Peak Performance Training contact:
Website: www.ocbiofeedback.com
