If you have a child with ADHD you may find that they are prone to outbursts and tantrums.
Whether your child has already been diagnosed with ADHD by our Waldorf, and Leonardtown, MD, pediatricians, Dr. Robert Miller and Dr. Crystal Brown, or you see warning signs of ADHD, behavioral issues are a big concern for kids and teens with this neurodevelopmental disorder. While behavioral problems aren’t a sign of ADHD, they can certainly occur more often in children with an ADHD diagnosis.
Why do kids with ADHD act out and throw tantrums?
Kids with ADHD often act impulsively and have a lot of energy. As a result, you may find that going out in public isn’t easy. Your child doesn’t want to sit down and stay quiet. They want to roam around the restaurant because they have a lot of energy. They want to check everything out and find things that interest them. However, this can be stressful for parents and quickly turn into a negative experience.
Children with ADHD have trouble focusing, especially on tasks that don’t interest them. So if you pull the remote or video game controller out of their hands to tell them to get their homework done, it’s not terribly surprising that this may result in a tantrum. After all, you’re taking away something they do love and replacing it with something that is challenging and difficult for them.
So, what can you do?
Most parents think punishment or discipline will work, but kids with behavioral issues due to ADHD don’t react well to it. So, discipline or punishment may not be very effective. By constantly punishing them they start to realize that being punished just a little bit more in order to do something they want to do is really not that big a deal for them.
So, what actually works for kids with ADHD and behavioral problems?
Calmly teaching your kids what behaviors are and aren’t acceptable is often the best approach. By creating an environment in which these acceptable behaviors are being shown to your child every day, they can begin to understand which ones they should be displaying. Instead of dealing with negative interactions of scolding and punishment, your child learns in a safe and positive environment in which their good behaviors are supported and rewarded.
Remember that you aren’t alone in this. Our Waldorf, and Leonardtown, MD, pediatricians can provide you with recommendations, medications, therapy options, and referrals. There are programs that parents can attend that will teach them how to create positive relationships with their children. Kids with hyperactivity may also benefit from stimulant medications to help control their symptoms.
If your child’s behavioral issues are becoming too tough to handle on your own, know that our Waldorf, and Leonardtown, MD, pediatricians, Dr. Miller and Dr. Brown, can help you get these issues under control. To schedule a consultation, call our offices at (301) 475-7222, or (301) 843-6996