| Instead of focusing on the problems with having | | | | budding entomologist or inventor in your home. Is your |
| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, let's take a | | | | child extremely imaginative? Get them some large |
| break from this pattern of thinking and look at the | | | | paper and paints and let them go at it, or give them a |
| positive qualities that co-exist with it. Children with | | | | pen and have them jot down stories. Does your child |
| ADHD can be curious, bright, energetic, creative, | | | | have a flare for comedy or dramatics? Do they crave |
| imaginative, funny, athletic, go-getters, and have a zest | | | | attention? Put them in acting classes. Who knows |
| for life that our past U.S. President, Teddy Roosevelt, | | | | maybe when they grow up they'll be a first rate comic, |
| would be envious of. I believe this because as a | | | | actor, or trial lawyer. (I kid you not. I knew someone |
| former nanny I've dealt with children with ADHD. Plus, I | | | | who as a child was very hyperactive and |
| have a brother and a father who were both | | | | argumentative. He also liked to be the center of |
| hyperactive as children. In fact, my father who's in his | | | | attention. He found his calling. Being a trial lawyer.) |
| eighties is still on the go and as smart as a whip. | | | | Give your child support. Some parents out of |
| Believe it or not, he was still running in races into his | | | | frustration tell their child with ADHD, over and over, that |
| early eighties. I don't know if he won many races as a | | | | they are obnoxious or annoying. But if you tell them this |
| child, but he sure has won a lot in his golden years. He | | | | why do you expect them to be any different? They |
| has a string of first place medals for the 70+ age | | | | are being what you are telling them they are. If you are |
| category and enough vim and vigor which people half | | | | frustrated with their behavior they will become |
| his age wish they could have. But as for your child, his | | | | frustrated. This is counterproductive. Try substituting |
| or her senior years are a long way off. The point is | | | | positive words for the negative ones. Instead of |
| there are positive attributes that go along with the | | | | exclaiming, "Stop being hyper and annoying!" calmly |
| challenges of having ADHD. | | | | say, "Be calm. Be polite." Children will grow into how |
| These positive aspects can be evident now and then | | | | you see them. Try doing these things: Praise your child |
| can continue into your child's adult life. Is he or she | | | | when you see them working on their frustration, anger |
| creative? This creativity can show up in their present | | | | or manners. Look at what they have to offer the |
| drawings or dance, and later in life when they choose | | | | world. Are they kind? Considerate? Enthusiastic? How |
| an occupation. Maybe they'll be a top-notch | | | | about every once in awhile you both step outside the |
| choreographer or graphic artist. If your child has | | | | ADHD box and look inside it. I bet you'll be surprised at |
| impulsive behavior and has difficulty sitting still, stop and | | | | how many pleasant revelations there are if you really |
| think how you can re-channel this energy. Find | | | | look. One final note, some very famous people have |
| constructive outlets. Does your child like to run? | | | | had ADHD when they were young. So keep that in |
| Dance? Play tennis? Find out and get them involved. | | | | mind. And do tell your child that. Maybe go to the library |
| Going with this train of thought if your child has an | | | | and find out what prominent people had/have ADHD. It |
| endless amount of curiosity, discover what really | | | | would be nice for your child to have role models they |
| fascinates them. Do they like bugs? Building model | | | | like to look up to. |
| planes? Then nurture it, safely. You might have a | | | | |