The Connection Between ADHD and Confidence
Many children and adolescents with ADHD suffer from low self-esteem. These feelings usually come from the child's own perception of personal failure at home and school. The criticism and punishment they may receive as a result of their disorder can also chip away at their self-worth. But there are things you can do to help your child be confident and self-assured.
Ways to Improve the Self-esteem of Children With ADHD*
Become proactive
Knowledge is power. Gain knowledge about the disability so you understand why and how ADHD affects the child at home, in school, in social situations, and the entire family system.
Change your belief system
Before the child can change his or her self-concept, the adults in the child's life have to change the way they view the child. Separate the child from the behavior, and then separate the child from the disability. These are not ADHD children. They are children with ADHD.
Act, don't react
Emotional responses such as blame and anger will diminish when you stop, look, listen, and then respond. In other words, count to 10.
Catch the child being good
Give your child lots of praise, encouragement, recognition, and positive attention. Reward the child for meeting expectations. Use punishment sparingly, and never ridicule the child.
Develop the child's sense of competence and responsibility
- Identify the child's strengths and weaknesses.
- Develop realistic expectations of the child.
- Play to the child's strengths by building opportunities for success in the environment. Remember, you may have to structure situations carefully to make success achievable.
- Assign special jobs (feeding the family pet, mowing the lawn, decorating the house for the holidays).
- Cultivate the child's special interests (help start a card or doll collection, take trips to museums).
- Enroll the child in extracurricular activities. Finding an activity best suited to your child may require trial and error. Encourage the child by attending practices and performances.
- Play with your child. Let the child choose and direct the game or activity and, if not too obvious, let the child win.
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