Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects 1 in 3 children in the United States. While it is more diagnosed these days than it was in the past, there are many people that believe their children are being misdiagnosed. As a child, I was diagnosed with ADHD which I did carry over into adulthood. This happens to 25% of children who are diagnosed. The remaining 75% grow out of it or learn to keep it under control. Helping your child learn to control their ADHD is an excellent alternative to medications.

Children with any disorder need structure and ADHD is no exception. The first thing in helping your child is to make a schedule and STICK TO IT! It will be hard for a little while, but it will help in the long run, trust me. Keep each day as similar to the previous as possible. Make sure to tell them the times of each activity. This helps them learn their schedule. They will start to learn that at 12pm they will get lunch or at 2 o'clock they get to go outside and play and they will look forward to these times. ADHD children crave attention so be sure to give your little one the attention they deserve. It will help you connect and bond with them.

Most hyperactive children do not know how to deal with all the excess energy and use it in a negative way. Giving your child tasks like picking up their room, setting the table, or even running to one end of the yard and back help them burn off some energy and do something constructive with it. There may be numerous times when you will have to remind the child of what he or she should be doing, but be patient with them. The schedule is new to them like it is new to you. Learning a new routine takes a little while but if you stick with it in a few weeks you will notice that your child is calmer and feels as though you are proud of him/her.

Learn more about this author, Angie Taliferro.
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