ADD
Communicating assignments to the parents as well as the child.
Minimizing distractions, if possible.
Providing immediate feedback, including both verbal and tangible rewards for successful completion of tasks and assignments.
Adjusting the curriculum to the student’s needs and abilities.
Working together with the child’s other teachers, doctors and parents.
Speaking often with parents—not waiting until report card time.
Children with attention deficit disorders can drive you crazy, but with a little help and a lot of understanding and encouragement, you can help make their lives, and yours, more successful and fulfilling.
Sustaining spiritual support
Not long ago a little boy with ADD asked his mother, “Mom, why can’t something be wrong with my arm and not my brain?” Later he added, “My broken arm will get better but you can’t fix my brain.”
You may have had the same kind of questions, along with, “Why my child?” or “Why would God allow this to happen?” I certainly don’t have the answers to these “why?” questions any more than I would claim to understand the mind and long range plans of God.
I do, however, believe AD/HD children have potential to live very creative and fulfilled lives. There is every reason to be optimistic about their abilities to mature, yield fruit in season and prosper in whatever they do (Psalm 1:3).
Pray regularly for your child. God has made some rather remarkable promises – He will answer our prayers (Mark 11:24); God has never failed to keep His promises (1 Kings 8:56). He does not lie. Remember these promises and claim them as you pray for and parent your AD/HD child. God will not miraculously remove your child’s AD/HD, but He will help you grow in patience, sensitivity and other parenting skills.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3: 5-6). These verses capture the essence of every parent’s need.
© Rakuten Group, Inc.
