ADHD Anger Management

 

Sometimes it can be difficult to communicate with your child when they have been diagnosed with ADHD. Do simple instructions or requests turn into major battles? Do blow-ups happen for no apparent reason? Are there changes happening in your child’s life they are not adjusting well to?

This happens often in families whether we realize it or not. There are times our focus is pulled away from our families and toward other things going on in our lives. Individuals get bogged down with work, extended family obligations, outside activities, and many other things pulling us this way or that. Adults are working to pay bills and create homes for their families; children are going to school and working on their grades and social lives. Children with ADHD process things differently. Their meltdowns may tend to come on faster and last longer. This may be because they are frustrated by not being understood or what they believe is really going on. This is why it is important to slow down, listen to your child, and break down instructions so they can clearly understand them.

Bringing your child and/or family to therapy will let them express themselves to someone outside their family circle. This may bring a new perspective to the situation while helping to add the tools necessary to help your family communicate in a healthy and successful way. Finding coping skills to deal with every day stress is essential for both children and families. From breathing techniques to finger touches, there are many ways to handle day to day stress and to help families communicate in a healthy way, so that glass figurine doesn’t go flying across the room. Maybe it is time to return the focus to common family goals. Sometimes taking the time to really listen to one another and focusing on what is most important in life will change how you live and increase your happiness as well as increase the listening skills in your little one. Time-outs may decrease, yelling may decrease, and hurt feelings may decrease. If you are a parent who wants to see smiles instead of frowns, make an appointment today.

Kristi Quattrochi, MSW, PLMHP, PCMSW
AdultSpan Counseling
1001 South 70th St. Suite 225
Lincoln, NE 68510 Phone: 402-325-0117 Ext. 14