Hello!
I have a 5 year old son that was diagnosed with ADHD last year. We have him in Occupational therapy, counseling, and he is on Guanfacine, all of which have made a huge difference in his focus and behavioral issues.
Parenting and discipline continues to be a battle with wins and losses. He can be very explosive and physical with me. I am searching for parenting models and books that have worked with you in parenting your children with the unique challenges ADHD presents.
Thank you!
Hey there . I have the same problem with my 7 yr old son. It’s been a battle trying to learn how to discipline him, and help him work through this anger. I recently started reading the Explosive Child by Dr. Ross Greene, who has some good insight and interventions to use . I also looked into an ADHD parent coach, who i will start sessions with next month, and my son will start play therapy next week to address anxiety and anger
I just started the Explosive Child, glad I’m on the right track. I will have to look into the ADHD parent coach, I could definitely see the benefit. Does insurance help cover any of the sessions? Or if it’s private pay what do the sessions usually run for? Thank you!
That would largely depend on your insurance provider and whom you hope to see. If you are looking for insurance to cover it, you may have better luck finding a psychologist who specializes in parent training for ADHD and accepts insurance (many do not.) Local universities, hospitals or children’s hospital with behavioral health centers may also have some affordable options.
Hi. I’m a ADHD coach who specializes in adults and parents of children with ADHD. Coaches can be a great addition to a comprehensive treatment plan. There is no licensing qualification so insurance won’t cover it. I would look for one with life and ADHD training though. You can find them on the CHADD site under resource directory or just Google it. ADDitude Mag has a resource directory as well. To give you an idea on cost, I am a fairly new coach so my standard package is $400 per month. This includes 4 sessions and unlimited support via text/email in between sessions. Hope that helps. PM me if you want to talk. ZERO obligation to coach with me. I would just love to help you figure out your next steps. You are already doing a great job. Finding out as much as you can is critical and you are doing it.
INTERESTED!
I had a few consultations, to ensure they were reputable, affordable and certified. I also preferred someone who was either LPC, LCSW or Psychologist.
Where did you find an adhd coach? It's the person local or online?
Hi! CHADD has a great resource directory and you can also look at ADDitude Mags directory as well. You can also Google it. I am one, so PM me if you want to chat. Good luck!
I found one online. She is a Pediatric psychologist . anewdaypediatricpsychology.com
I LOVE the book "8 keys to parenting children with ADHD" by Cindy Goldrich. I also really liked "Mindful Parenting for ADHD: A Guide to Cultivating Calm, Reducing Stress, and Helping Children Thrive" by Mark Bertin. One thing I've learned over the past few years is to stay calm, and mindfulness exercises (breathing/meditation) really works. Good luck!
For behavioral issues, we like:
‘1-2-3 Magic’ by Thomas Phelan (who also has a great book on ADHD called ‘All About ADHD’)
‘Smart but Scattered’ by Peg Dawson (though it’s about making home accommodations to deal with executive functioning issues, we found they also helped behavior a lot, as my son is now less frustrated by his deficits.)
I’m currently starting Amy McCready’s parenting books, though not far enough along yet to say if I recommend them. They seem promising, though largely combining ideas I’ve read elsewhere.
To learn more about ADHD or ODD, I also highly recommend Russell Barkley books & YouTube videos.
I started off with 123 Magic but ended up with Setting Limits with your Strong Willed Child, by Robert MacKenzie. It spoke to me. Note, my strong willed child is inattentive and has Sensory Processing Disorder. I can’t say she was explosive when she was younger but definitely strong willed. Good luck!
Hi I'm facing the same thing except my son is 11.
Hi I'm facing the same thing except my son is 11 but when stressed he acts like 2, sometimes 4 etc. We are doing NMT activities at home and school, due to early trauma. An NMT therapist is coaching us, the parents, remotely and sessions are covered by insurance. Therapist suggested guanfacine, play and animal therapy, massages, deep pressure activities like akido, martial arts, swimming, drumming, puppet storytelling, arm wrestling, OT play dough, family board games etc. Most of it are to repair the brain stem, limbic and frontal. Most of activities he's doing alone at school or with us at home. Although His school counselor will now try a paired activity without competition side by side as not. His tantrums and physical explosiveness and aggression is getting shorter in sequence and there's a quicker turnaround time to repair relational damage. Its a bit early to tell if the nmt is working, but we're journaling his progress to measure success. This nmt model was created by Dr. Bruce Perry.
I have a 4 year old and we too are looking for a parenting coach. I just ordered the explosive child. My son has a SEIT, OT, and Sensory Gym in PreK.
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