ADHD Parents and emotional dysregulation

[Dubai2013]

I have ADHD, with diagnostic with 39 years. I'm Brazilian and we are in the USA since June 2022. I suspect that may 8 years son has ADHD too and I'm looking for professionals specialized in ADHD.

This first year has been very difficult, everything is very different and I know that this contributes to increasing our stress.

I am grateful to be able to participate in this group. We live in Norwood-MA

Thank You

[Knitting20projects]

Hi, does he have medical insurance and a regular pediatrician? Sometimes you can start with your regular pediatrician. They can discuss your concerns, what behaviors you’re seeing, and have forms you and his teachers can fill out about different behaviors your child has at home and school. Often they can make the diagnosis and start medication treatment if you are interested in pursuing medication. Or they can refer you for behavioral therapy instead of or in addition to medication.

[Hidden]

What has your son’s teachers been saying about him? How are his school report cards? Teachers could start already behavioural techniques (whilst you are sorting out the ADHD assessment for your child).

Are you officially diagnosed? If you don’t have means to have diagnosis done in the US you could have your child diagnosed in Brazil.

There are some ‘golden’ rules to follow in behavioural strategies with kids with ADHD - ‘ignoring minor bad behaviours’, a lot of varied praise (so let’s say not every time ‘good job’ but try to say something more or at least use different phrase, praise even when you think this is like a basic and not deserving to be rewarded for- really all good behaviour for a child with ADHD has to be acknowledged and you need to let them know you noticed.

Reward system needs to be immediate- so let’s say when your child did well in his swimming class you need to reward him immediately after the lesson (my son likes getting football cards). Your child will enjoy choosing a reward. You need to make sure that it is proportionate to what you are rewarding (not too generous😄).

[Knitting20projects]

My only other suggestion is: if you have ADHD & are open to the idea of medication for yourself, and have medical insurance, you might feel less stressed out if you got medication for your ADHD. I’m saying this as someone with combined type ADHD myself who very recently started medication. It has really opened my eyes to how unnecessarily overwhelmed I was caring for my 2 high needs kids. I felt like I was running on an ever faster treadmill when everyone else is standing on solid ground (before I started medication). I had no idea other people didn’t live like that—I assumed it was normal. I also have found the ADDitude website & podcast for Adult ADHD incredibly informative. Hugs to you.