When you come to think of it, parents of young children with ADHD are lucky. Helping them manage their ADHD symptoms demands hard work and patience, but at least there are books, support groups, play groups, and social services to make life easier for you.  But as a child grows into a young adult, all of these support systems start to go away one by one – but the ADHD symptoms don’t. A new study published in Pediatrics shows that ADHD symptoms can last until adulthood. Here’s what you can do to help your child cope and become a well-adjusted adult.

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Going back to school might be hard for ADHD children, but it’s even harder for the parents – after all, mom and dad are the ones who have to make all the necessary arrangements for their little ones. Not only do they have to deal with enrolment procedures and taking the kids to school, they also have to manage the inevitable temper tantrums of a child who simply just doesn’t want to go yet.

The back-to-routine blues can be so overwhelming, it’s easy to forget a few important steps needed to ensure a smooth transition from the bliss of a long break to happy days with teachers and friends at school. For parents who have trouble keeping track of everything, here are three of the most important tips in getting ADHD kids back to school:

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It’s not easy parenting an ADHD child, especially when he or she child acts out, makes disrespectful comments, or disrupts activities. Many parents get easily frustrated when this happens, and wonder if their child will ever be well-behaved enough to go through a family dinner or a day at school without incident. The fact of the matter is that better behavior isn’t something that will magically happen, even if your child’s ADHD symptoms get treated.  Rather, better behavior is a skill that is learned and practiced, much like riding a bike or carpentry.

The foundation for good behavior lies in learning three important life skills: reading social situations, managing emotions, and problem-solving abilities. Children with ADHD tend to be deficit in these skills but they can be learned and reinforced with a little help from you and a therapist.

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Family vacations are a great opportunity to bond with the children, and with winter break fast approaching you’re probably deciding where to go. But some vacation destinations might not be suitable for kids with ADHD. Long lines at theme park rides and restaurants, rainy days spent in a hotel room, hours in an airplane seat, noise, crowds – these are difficult for anyone, but especially if you’re traveling with someone who has ADHD. Kids with ADHD are very distractible, restless, impatient, and sensitive to bright lights and loud sounds. Although you might have gotten used to helping your child manage these symptoms at home, handling them in a strange new place is a different story. Vacations mean change and if you already had a routine set up for your child, the lack of structure during the trip might make the symptoms return full force.

While there’s no guarantee of a smooth-sailing vacation, planning ahead is one of two keys to having a great time. The other key is to know what your children want – are they more comfortable with quiet surroundings or the bustle of a big city? Do they prefer the ocean or do they flourish in the fresh mountain air?

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You’re probably familiar with the benefits of meditation for stressed out adults, but have you heard about the ways meditation can help children with ADHD? As an ADHD natural treatment, meditation teaches children to reign in their impulses, provides them with clarity, and helps them recover from the pressures of school. All children need to find ways to center themselves so they can focus, learn discipline, and feel positive about themselves. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if your ADHD child could have better focus in the classroom and feel at peace?  Here are a few tips that will show you how to make meditation a part of your ADHD child’s life.

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Does your ADHD child have a habit of cutting you off in mid-sentence? Do you find it difficult to carry a conversation on the phone or with your spouse because of constant interruptions? Interrupting is a common behavior among kids with ADHD because they have a hard time keeping their impulses in check and censoring what they say. But just because this behavior occurs naturally, it doesn’t mean that it’s right, nor does it become any less annoying! Here are some ADHD parenting tips on dealing with kids who interrupt.

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We’re familiar with how children with ADHD are supposed to behave. If they have ADHD hyperactive type, they’ll be bouncing off the walls, while those with ADHD inattentive type never seem to hear a word you say. However, children with ADHD can sometimes display behaviors that aren’t listed in the diagnostic criteria.  They are picky eaters who can’t stand certain smells or textures.  Dressing them up can be a real challenge; they can’t stand athletic socks, pants with elastic waistbands, or certain fabrics.  At night, they have trouble sleeping because the slightest sliver of light penetrates their lids. The list goes on.

Research suggests that many children with ADHD experience such hypersensitivities because of the underlying neurological issues of the disorder can trigger problems with sensory processing. They stay away from sensory stimulation like touch, light, or sound because they get overwhelmed by these sensations. When they get over-stimulated, they may react by throwing tantrums and displaying other troublesome behaviors.

The good news is that occupational therapy and desensitization techniques can help children overcome these sensory problems. Meanwhile, you can prevent sensory meltdowns by managing your child’s hypersensitivities.

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“What toys should I buy for my ADHD child?” This is one of the most common questions parents ask from experts, especially during Christmas or birthdays.  Kids with ADHD need the right kind of toys that allow them to express themselves. The tricky part is making sure they find these toys stimulating and exciting; otherwise, these presents end up gathering dust at the back of a closet.  Generally speaking, simple toys that encourage pretend play and artistic ability are enough to capture the imagination of kids with ADHD.  These Christmas gift ideas for kids with ADHD feature some toys they will surely love playing with.

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Well-meaning relatives, friends, and magazine articles have probably given you lots of advice on how to parent your ADHD child.  However, the so-called “rules” of good parenting don’t always work, especially when many of these techniques are only fads. Here are the five most ineffective ADHD parenting approaches and how you can make them work for your child.

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The holidays are a great time to catch up with family members you haven’t seen, enjoy good food, and simply relax for a couple of hours. That is, assuming that your ADHD child will behave. In the typical family gathering, adults usually gather together in one room while the kids play in another. Although you try your best to pay attention to the relatives you’re talking to, you’re also alert for any signs of trouble. After all, you don’t want family members to judge your ADHD parenting skills or assume that your child is in the middle of any trouble that might happen. Here are some tips you can use to help manage your child’s ADHD symptoms and make your holiday family gatherings fun and tantrum-free.

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