Introduction
In my previous article, I described three tips to implement behavior therapy in your child’s life with ADHD. In this article, I will expand upon this topic and describe three more ways to implement behavior therapy in your child’s life with ADHD.
Use When/Then Statements To Encourage Good Behavior And Reward Your Child
On a first note, it is important for a therapist to find the proper way to reward your child. Consider adapting this method at home as well. According to www.additudemag.com, the following can be stated:
If your child asks for permission to do a desirable activity before completing his chores or assignments, say, “Yes, when you finish cleaning the garage, then you can go out with friends.” With younger children, it’s important that the rewarding activity take place immediately after the chore or assignment is completed.
Set Up A Point/Token System For Rewards And Consequences
On a second note, you can also set up a point/token system. Your therapist may do this in his/her office. You can also do something similar at home. According to www.additudemag.com, the following can be stated:
One effective system for encouraging your child to comply with your commands involves a jar and a supply of marbles. Each time your child does what you ask, put a marble in the jar. Each time he doesn’t, take two marbles out of the jar. At the end of the day, he earns a small reward based on the number of marbles that remain in the jar, and then starts over again.
Tweak Your Discipline Techniques As Your Child Gets Older
On a third note, you may notice your child’s therapist is adjusting their techniques as your child gets older. Consider doing the same. According to www.additudemag.com, the following can be noted:
Certain measures, including time-outs, may not work as well with tweens and teens as they do with younger kids. If your high-schooler breaks a rule, you might give him a five-minute chore — such as straightening up the family room — rather than a five-minute time-out.
Conclusion
To end this specific article, three behavioral techniques have been mentioned. These techniques can be used in a therapeutic setting. However, they can also be used in your child’s home, as well. They include using when/then statements to encourage good behavior and reward your child, setting up a point/token system for rewards and consequences, in addition to tweaking your discipline techniques as your child gets older.
Photo by Funky Tee 