Eleven Ways To Improve Life In General and the Self-Esteem of Children with ADD/ADHD
Authored by: The National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY).

Become Proactive about ADD or ADHD
Knowledge is power. Gain knowledge about the disability so you understand why and how ADD / ADHD affects the child at home, in school, in social situations, and the entire family system.
Change Your Belief System
Before the child can change his or her self-concept, the adults in the child's life have to change the way they view the child. Separate the child from the behavior, and then separate the child from the disability. These are not ADD/ADHD children. They are children with a.d.d. / a.d.h.d.
Act, Do not React
Emotional responses such as blame and anger will diminish when you stop, look, listen, and then respond. In other words, count to ten.
Nurture Yourself
Take some time alone with your spouse, develop an interest or hobby, establish a regular exercise program, - and be good to yourself.
Catch The Child Being Good
Give your add/adhd child lots of praise, encouragement, recognition, and positive attention. Reward the child for meeting expectations. Use punishment sparingly, and never ridicule the child.
Develop The Child's Sense of Completeness and Responsibility
Identify the child's strengths and weaknesses. Develop realistic expectations of the child. Play to the child's strengths by building opportunities for success in the environment. Remember, you have to structure situations carefully to make success achievable.
Assign Special Jobs
(feeding the family pet, mowing the lawn, or decorating the house for holidays)
Cultivate the Child's Special Interests
(help start a card or doll collection, take trips to museums)
Enroll the Child in Extracurricular Activities
(sports, performing arts) Finding an activity best suited to your child may require trial and error. Encourage the child by attending practices and performances.
Play With Your Child
Let the child choose and direct the game or activity and, if not too obvious, let them win.   (End of NICHCYtext.)                                                                                                                                                 And Now, A Suggestion Of My Own, "Don't Medicate Your Child Into Submission"                                                                                                                     Seek Alternatives Until You Find One That Works For Your Child

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