Parents Of Kids With ADHD Are Rethinking Punishment And Trying Positive Reinforcement Instead

A parent has opened up about how it’s been a “total game-changer” for their son, who has ADHD.

Parents editor at HuffPost UK

When your child’s behaviour leaves you clenching your teeth; or their school work doesn’t get done, despite you asking a zillion times, it can be easy to jump into taking away privileges (“no TV for a week!”).

However, experts say that’s probably not going to have the desired effect. While this kind of punishment can sometimes stop poor behaviour in the short term, psychotherapist Anna Mathur previously told HuffPost UK “it rarely teaches children what to do instead”.

“On its own, it tends to create fear or upset rather than understanding. Children often focus on the loss (‘my toy’s gone’) rather than the learning (‘my behaviour hurt someone’),” she explained.

If you add attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to the mix, it’s even less likely to work.

Ugo Uche, a counsellor supporting young adults and teens, explained for Psychology Today that young people with ADHD “struggle with cause-and-effect thinking, making delayed punishments ineffective”.

Not only that, but harsh consequences can “trigger emotional........

© HuffPost