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The holidays can be stressful for attention deficit children. Traveling and visiting relatives may disrupt their day-to-day routines, and all the excitement can be overwhelming. Follow these real-family strategies to prevent holiday havoc, keep your ADHD kids feeling good, and create happier memories:
Plan Ahead
During the holidays, routine and structure go out the window: A child might have to endure travel time by car, train, or plane; sitting politely at the dinner table for extended periods; less control of diet and sleep. Planning for these holiday side effects is helpful for an ADHD child and his parents.
Decide how the days will be spent -- parties, decorating, visiting relatives, preparing holiday treats -- and set up a schedule, building flexibility into it in case your child needs downtime.
Sketch out each phase of the holidays, including all "free" time when your child may be playing with other children or relatives. Now, given what you know about your son or daughter, flag the activities that may be a problem for him or her. Amend the schedule if necessary, and discuss with your child the following coping strategies.
Tip: If your son or daughter is on ADHD medication, talk with your doctor about possibly extending the coverage to 24 hours during the holiday season. Increasing time on medication can maximize your child's enjoyment of the season during this high-energy period.
Next: Teach Self-Control
This article comes from the December 2004 - January 2005 Issue of ADDitude.
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