What should I be saying to this child?

Question

I care for a 10 yr old boy who has severe ADHD and I am trying to find a professional way to discipline him.. I feel that asking him to sit down, calm down, or please stop whatever he is doing over and over again is unprofessional and just not working in general... What should I be saying to this child? Is there another way I should try going about it when he is being loud and wont sit down when necessary? Help please!

Answer 1

My nephew was diagnosed with this and it it is very tough to deal with.  I totally agree with the ball idea!!  That will give him that ability to release energy while staying in one place.  I also agree with the rewards, too. With my nephew I've found that giving him too many things to do at one time leads to him just jumping around and doing nothing, so I give him one task at a time and have him come back to me each time he completes one thing.  It keeps him busy and makes him feel accomplished.  As far as reprimands, I still get on to him for things that he does that are out of line, b/c he does know right from wrong, but I try to be more patient when it comes to things like excessive talking or being hyper.  I would definitely try to distinguish this kid's behavior.  What does he do that he can't control and what does he do that deserves discipline?    Then handle the the discipline like you would normally.  He may be one of those kids that uses his ADHD as an excuse for bad behavior.  Kids are smart.

Remember, this kid can't be asked to stand still in a corner for 10 minutes.  He'd be there in trouble all day.  Once again i think the exercise ball is a great idea and I will try this with my nephew!!!!  Good luck!

Answer 2

I don't understand what is so unprofessional about what you're doing.

Just DON'T FORGET TO PRAISE HIM!!!!! Try to be possitive as well. Instead of saying, "That ball is an outside toy, stop tossing it in the kitchen." Try.." I see you like that ball, can you put it down and help me finish this so we can play with it together?"

It may not work right away, but he'll get the jist.

For a long time I thought my son didn't give a hoot what I thought of his behavior. He does, even with a severe speech delay, ADHD, ODD, and sensory issues. If my "monster" (I mean that lovingly)  cares, any kid does.

I also found that when doing daily tasks, he seems calmer and stays within earshot of my voice if I'm casually blabbing out loud about what I'm doing. My beifit is, the lower I talk, the closer he plays.

Answer 3

Set boudaries. Don't be a push over or else he will grow up to be a soiled bratt. Let him know that you'ra the parent and you're in charge. Don,t be intimidated.:D

Answer 4

give him time-outs

Answer 5

Because he dosn't want to sit down and be quiet, he is probably (for only PART of the reason) doing it because it just doesn't want to listen to you, or he thinks it's funny. You should make up a game that makes him stay quiet and give him rewards...not like the "quiet game", but something that intests him. for instence, if he likes Star Wars, create a game that rewards him with something like Star Wars stickers, or a toy, or cookie that he loves! He would love that! You just have to be sure that this game YOU create(you have to make the game up because you know him well enough) is simple, but enjoyable at the same time.. I hope that I helped you at least a little bit with your problem and good luck!=)

Answer 6

Can you re-direct him to something else that will channel his energy in a more appropriate way?  When he is jumping around and being loud, take him by the hand and say, "Johnny, why don't we go out and jump on the trampoline instead of in the house?"   If you substitute a fun activity for no activity, it might help him settle himself somewhat.

Answer 7

Can you discuss this with his parents? If so, explain the problem with them, and ask for methods that work for them. Maybe consistency at home and with you might be helpful. Just an idea. Good luck.

Answer 8

If you are caring for him you are supposed to be telling him to stop, sit, calm down, quiet down, etc... If you feel that is unprofessional to do why are you keeping him?  Time outs are good but you need to tell him to stop before you throw him in a corner.  (not literally).  He is like every other ten year old boy.  Discipline him.  If he has ADHD he needs someone who is going to constantly remind him of what he needs to do and how he needs to act.  Be firm.  Tell him if he does this then that will happen.  Get him to focus on you when you talk to him.  Who knows, maybe he doesn't have ADHD he just has never been disciplined and if you don't want to start then find a way to ask the parents to do something else with him.

Answer 9

Don't sweat the small stuff...let him move and stand whenever it is not interfering with others or what he is supposed to be doing.  If he really is being disobedient, or hurting others, then give him a time out.   This is just the way he is...

Answer 10

i have a freind who works with ADHD and special needs kids. she has a bean bag for them to sit in and gives them those foam type squeezy balls to squeeze till their anger or frustration time has passed. it helps them to calm down. call it the calm corner rather than a naughty corner. tell him its not becuase he is naughty but becuase he needs time to calm down.  explain to him that if he feels like he is going to do the wrong thing he should take himself to the bean bag for calm time as well. eventually he will learn what is happeniing inside of him and how he feels. alternatively get him to sit on a "sad" mat. he sits there on the mat becuase his behaviour has been unacceptable and has made you sad. reward his good behaviour wtih lots of stickers. give him a small reward for 5 stickers or 10 stickers , check with his parents what reward they deem suitable becuase it may not always be food, food rewards just encourage bad eating habits too , he might be being able to watch a favourite movie or tv show rather than a food reward. or if he likes books make it a special book he can only look at when he has the reward time. or some craft etc. whatever his very favourite thing in the world is  use that as incentive. ask his parents how they handle this problem with him at home. maybe you could use a whistle, say to him that when he hears the whistle blow he has to give you his full attention and stop wht he is doing. use  a stop watch to see how fast he does it , it can be a game that way and he will be eager to please. as a rule lots of ADHD kids find it hard to concentrate and sit for a long time so as his carer you may need to keep lots of short fun activities going . use the fun as a reward for good behaviour. i hope some of these things might work.

Answer 11

He has more problems than short attention. Inform parents that this boy needs more of their attention and you will no longer aid them in their neglect. Yes do not watch him.

Answer 12

Is he taking medication?  Medication can do wonders.  

I've heard of using a huge bouncy ball for him to sit on when you need him to stay somewhat still.  This way, he can bounce, but he'll be where you need him to be.

You could also use rewards as positive reinforcements for doing what you ask of him.  Rewards can take the form of physical activity (after periods of attention) or treats, toys, stickers, video game time...whatever he enjoys.  Try to focus on the positive behaviors rather than the negative ones.