How Parent Counseling For Parents Reduce ADHD Symptoms In Children


If you are getting frustrated with your child’s poor school performance and behavioral problems, you may want to consider Parent Counseling. As a treatment for ADHD, it helps by changing parents’ perspectives on discipline and dealing with the child. In the long run, it has also been shown to be more effective than medication. 


Reducing Reprimands


Out of stress or frustration, parents tend to scold their children often. Parents should know that scolding is not just ineffective. It just conditions the child to fear authority figures. The fear is also an additional distraction for the child, leading to even poorer school performance. Parent counseling aims to reduce the scolding and replace it with new parenting techniques. 


Lessening Commands


Children, in general, can handle a finite number of commands a day, regardless of their condition. Unfortunately for those with ADHD, their parents often give them more commands than other children. The additional restriction causes frustration for the child. At parent counseling, parents are taught to lessen the commands they give their children, making the children more comfortable and generally happier. A customized program teaches the parents which commands to keep and which to leave out per day.


Increasing Happiness


Children rely on their parents for their emotional well-being, so it is crucial for the parents to ensure that the children are happy and content. Remember that sadness can also be an additional distraction from schoolwork. Sometimes, parents need to alter a few parenting practices to raise their child’s happiness level.


Avoiding Arguments


All arguments, even minor ones, can cause child distress. Hearing their parents can set off alarm bells and their fear of being abandoned. Discussions can also trigger feelings of guilt since the child tends to blame himself when he sees his parents fight. Parents need to learn to keep fighting behind closed doors and not to add to the child’s stress and distraction.


Reducing Pressure


Because of their fear of academic problems and the repercussions (repeating the year, additional classes), parents tend to put pressure on their child to do well. Unfortunately, the weight can only make things worse because it makes the child more distressed. Parent Counseling aims to give the child a pleasant and relaxed learning environment.


Avoiding Criticism


One of the most significant and most common parenting errors is too much criticism. Even constructive criticism can be distressing if done too often. It can cause self-esteem problems and feelings of shame for the child. Parent Counseling aims to reduce the critical behaviors of the parents by reducing their irrational fears. They are taught that their child’s actions are typical and are not as challenging to manage as they may seem.


Reducing Sibling Conflict


Another cause of distress for children is feeling that they are inferior to their siblings. Children are not critical thinkers nor do they know how to look at the bigger picture, so they can think that a sibling is being favored over them, causing resentment. Parent Counseling can help identify the instances in which a child can feel this, therefore teaching the parents how to avoid it.

Dealing With A Child Who Has ADHD And ODD – Parent Counseling Is The First Step For Parent Support

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)


Defiance is a natural trait of developing children as they begin to explore their individuality and exert themselves in the family more. However, children with particular disorders such as ADHD and ODD take this defiance a little bit too much with recurring angry, violent, and disruptive behavior towards authorities. 


ODD And ADHD: Stats And Facts


40% of children with ADHD end up developing ODD as well with cases before puberty more likely to strike boys. After puberty, however, the chances are the same, and if untreated, the disorder may persist until adulthood. The child fortunately outgrows ODD by the age of eight. 


ODD And ADHD: The Connection


ODD is believed to be caused by uncontrolled impulses, and more often than not, reactions are unintentional. These impulses are often attributed to the same motivations that surround ADHD. Furthermore, these impulses, when combined with the stress of ADHD, can cause the child to lash out frequently. 


An ODD Diagnosis Is Tricky


There is a fine line between natural defiance and ODD. Only trained therapists who are well-versed in the diagnosis of different disorders have the right knowledge and instinct to call a situation a case of ODD. From anxiety to mood disorders, diagnosis of ODD is a tricky process but very important so that the disorder will not be left untreated. 


Steps To Treating ODD


The first step to treating ODD is to get on top of the symptoms. Once the child’s traits of hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and inattention are controlled, the ODD should start to reduce as well. Medications ranging from stimulants to antidepressants may also boost the process of treating the said disorder. 


ODD Strategies


ODD is produced by different causes which is why there is no one specific treatment for the disorder. With that, if a child does not respond well with the previous therapies and treatments, doctors may switch up to another strategy like prescribing non-stimulant atomoxetine instead of stimulants. 


Changing Your Child’s Behavior – Modify Your Outlook And Behavior Too


One of the most preferred treatments for ODD is parent-management training to help parents create a better environment for understanding their children. Through practice, the parents will learn to give their children rewards and praises. In some cases, the participation of both the child and the parent may be required. 


(Parent counseling is a new concept when it comes to supporting parents with ODD and ADHD children. Go to BetterHelp for more information as the site can help you with your questions on this program.)


Discipline In Three Steps


Instilling discipline is key to counteracting defiance and should be able to help combat ODD as well. By making these three steps a routine, you should be able to get results. First, you must ask nicely whenever you have a task. Second is to gently remind them of the function and what the consequences are if they do not subject themselves to it. Lastly, if you have to ask for the 3rd time, then the child will suffer from a consequence. 


Get Everyone On The Same Page


A key to making the therapy work is consistency which means that the program you are employing must be used by everyone in the family, and possibly the child’s teachers. Make sure to get everyone who interacts with the child the same note because a weak link may cause you the whole therapy. 


Do Not Take ODD Personally


ODD can test the patience of the parents and anybody who is not a professional when it comes to handling these cases. However, for the situation not to worsen, be sure not to get angry which is something that the child might reciprocate. 


Make Room For Praise


Praising good behavior will teach the child about the positive consequences of specific actions. Make sure to be smart about the praises and specify the responses that you want to see in the child repeatedly. 


Three C’s: Creative, Consistent, And Considerate 


You know your child more than anyone else, and only you can provide the most personal and tailor fit insights for the therapy. Be creative, consistent, and considerate.