Leading ADHD Coach, Sarah Wrightman, shares her top tips on how parents can support their child through the chaos of the festive season.
Today, record numbers of children are being diagnosed with ADHD. Subsequently, with increasing awareness around the subject of ADHD and neurodiversity in general, more parents than ever before are seeking simple, practical solutions to help them help their child better navigate life’s daily challenges.
Research shows that children with ADHD traits find Executive Skills more challenging. These skills are located in the pre-frontal cortex of the brain and include focusing, planning / prioritising, organising, time management, emotional regulation, thinking outside- the- box, self-reflection and starting tasks. Once we recognise the importance of these skills, we can take on the role of parent / coach to support our child to use simple, tried and tested strategies in the classroom as well as at home.
Ways to Help Your Child Develop The Skills They Need To Thrive:
- Focus – Chunking Tasks
Teach your child to ‘chunk’ every task into bitesize pieces. This could be breaking down the morning routine into a simple, short breathing/ meditation exercise, eating breakfast, preparing their mind for the day at school whilst taking a short walk.
During the festive season it is important to remember that zero structure is extremely challenging for a child with ADHD traits. Have a ‘loose’ routine that keeps everyone feeling ‘safe’ and able to enjoy the holiday-time. If the meditation and a walk work during the term-time, keep these going and instead of preparing their mind (and yours) for the school day, focus on one or two key activities for that day. It will make all the difference!
- Planning What to Do & When
Every child, especially those with ADHD traits, need predictability at school and home. This can mean planning what they need to remember at school by writing a simple task list and popping it into their bookbag with the breaktime snack or during the holiday season, or planning together (the night before) what will be happening the next day. This will ensure that your child and you – are on the same page and that emotions are not triggered by ‘unexpected’ events. Amazingly, by doing this, you are not only developing a magnitude of executive skills for your child but ensuring you can both enjoy this special time!
- Emotional Regulation
Just as starting the autumn term at school can trigger emotions, Christmas can be a time of heightened anxiety. It is important to plan for this by having some strategies tucked up your sleeve. Simple strategies such as introducing your child to a short breathing / meditation app such as ‘Mindfulness – The Art of Being Human’ offers a 77-second mediation and is free on the App Store. Introduce this when your child is calm and let them know they can ask for this whenever they need.
- Being connected
Staying connected with your child will help both of you to not allow the Christmas festivities to run away with you. Being aware of how you are feeling in the moment will help you connect with how your child is feeling. Being present and listening is key!
Sara Wrightman is a highly experienced ADHD Coach who supports adults, young people and also parents of ADHD children, providing game-changing strategies to help their child thrive.
Sara works with schools, parents and professionals to enable children to flourish in adulthood. Said Sara, “It can’t just be about achievement – our children need to grow into adaptable, kind and resilient adults, if they are going to be able to survive and thrive in the future.”
Sara is able to deliver training, talks, workshops and presentations as well as group and individual coaching. For more info visit www.seedwellness.co.uk/sarawrightman or email lifeadhdcoaching@gmail.com
