4 Helpful Tips for Parenting a Teen with ADHD

ADHD can be frustrating or even embarrassing at times. There’s still some level of stigma surrounding people with ADHD. 

For many parents with children who have ADHD, there’s a belief that they’ll just grow out of it. As children transition into adolescence and teen years, their symptoms may become more subtle or shift into different variations. 

Teens struggling with ADHD may experience trouble with school, social activity, and even their home life. Here are some helpful tips for parenting a teen with ADHD.

Learn What ADHD Encompasses

The most common misconception about ADHD is that it only involves struggles with attention. ADHD can greatly impact your executive functioning skills, which includes decision making, emotion management, time management, problem solving, and completing complex multi-step tasks. 

Your teen may struggle with an inability to sit still, have difficulty concentrating, difficulty following social cues/norms, impulsive behaviors, and the issues mentioned above. As the parent, it is important to understand the wide range of symptoms your teen may be demonstrating or struggling with. It can be a very intricate disorder that needs trial and error to find the right solution. 

Teens are in that transitional period where they aren’t children, but don’t have the full capacity of understanding that an adult has. This is where you can come in. ADHD isn’t something that just goes away. The more you know and understand, the better you’ll be at helping them. 

Emphasize Your Support

The teen years are filled with ups and downs for the parent-child relationship. When you add in the ADHD factor, it can sometimes feel like an extra hurdle to cross. They’re trying to figure out the world plus what is going on with their system for regulating the symptoms of their ADHD, possibly without understanding it themselves.

Keep your interactions positive and welcoming. Encourage them to talk to you, but make sure you’re emphasizing your support. When they do talk, pay attention to what is being said. Listen carefully and display your active listening skills. 

Avoid any type of negative actions like nagging, lecturing, scolding, or blaming them for their behaviors. ADHD is not their fault and it’s important that they know this. Instead, give them praise for what is going well. Help them develop their strengths and interests. 

Provide Guidance and Assistance

While they are learning more about their symptoms and how to manage, they may need a little physical help. For example, is organization an issue for them? Help them problem solve and organize whatever they need assistance with. It can also be a good bonding experience. 

 As their symptoms flare up, it can be easy for them to start to feel overwhelmed. Stress will start to make them feel bad and also make their symptoms harder to control. 

They may not have the best coping strategies in their toolbox yet. Help guide them in figuring out what works and what does not for them to be successful. Can mindfulness exercises be helpful? 

Work with the Necessary Professionals

If you’re exploring the treatment phase, you have multiple options. There is medication management, school support, coaching, and therapeutic options. With an ADHD diagnosis comes additional needs. 

It’s important that you collaborate with all the necessary parties to help your child. Explore any options provided by doctors. Follow through with exercises provided by a therapist. Monitor medication needs. 

If your school offers services, make sure your teen’s IEP is updated and accurate. An IEP gives teachers a means to provide additional considerations to help your teen excel. 

Is your teen displaying ADHD symptoms? Are you in need of guidance on how to help your teen achieve success? Contact us to learn more about our services for family therapy and ADHD treatment.