Parenting has become increasingly challenging in a society that offers a constant stream of demands and distractions. Having a child with ADD can be utterly overwhelming for parents who are already pulled in too many directions. How do frazzled parents, many of whom have ADD themselves, cope? A common strategy is for parents to take their kids to therapy, hoping that an hour a week with an expert will help.
Although it is understandable that parents seek therapy for their kids, this may not be the most beneficial use of a family’s often limited resources. It is Dr. T’s belief that, except in very particular cases*, it may be far better to invest in learning some parenting skills for managing the child with ADD.
Working with Dr. T on parenting skills typically involves 3-5 sessions to learn some basic strategies, and then meeting on an as-needed basis to apply those strategies to specific behaviors. By functioning as a “family consultant” rather than a child therapist, Dr. T can assist parents in bringing a more stable atmosphere to the home.
*Dr. Tsukahara recommends psychotherapy for children in such cases as trauma, divorce, sexual or physical abuse, and severe behavioral disorders. Adolescents also benefit from counseling, especially regarding ADD-related issues. Parents of adolescents with ADD may still need parenting skills to weather the storms of the adolescent years.
Tips for Parenting by Dr. T
Books about Parenting the ADHD Child
- Barkley, Russell (1998). Your Defiant Child
- Barkley, Russell and Robin, Arthur (2008). Your Defiant Teen
- Greene, Ross. The Explosive Child
- Gottman, John (1997). Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child
Helpful Parenting Web Sites
- www.help4adhd.org
- www.schwablearning.org - This excellent website is for the parents of children in grades K thru 12, but also has resources for adolescents going off to college and thinking about careers. There are lots of helpful tips on getting homework done, planning big school projects, and writing papers.
- www.helpforadd.com/add-behavioral-treatment - A very helpful summary of principles for parenting the ADHD child written by David Rabiner, PhD.
- www.helpforadd.com/2007/january.htm - Resource for parents of "explosive children" - This links to an article published in Dr. David Rabiner's electronic newsletter (Attention Research Update). It is an excellent synopsis of the method recommended by Dr. Ross Greene in his book, "The Explosive Child: A New Approach ..."
- ADHD Parents Medication Guide (PDF) - From the American Psychiatric Association (AMA) and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
