How do I Motivate my ADHD Child? 3 Proven Strategies.

Living with ADHD is sometimes smooth sailing and other times a child can encounter rough seas. At times, children who have been diagnosed with ADHD have been labeled as lazy or unmotivated. In reality, when children with ADHD have to complete a task which they find boring, repetitive, and uninteresting, they will find it difficult to pay attention, especially if they do not have intrinsic rewards or motivation to complete the task. Children who have been diagnosed with ADHD can pay attention, but not always when they specifically need to, or for the amount of time required to do what it is that they need to do. Sometimes, it can be considered hyper-focused and switching between tasks can be a challenge. Is attention a true deficit in ADHD? Not quite. There is a deficit in attention regulation.

Focus and attention are considered to be an executive function, therefore, ADHD is considered to be an executive function disorder. Much of our executive functioning happens within the Prefrontal Cortex of the brain that does not typically become fully developed until 25 to 30 years of age! Those diagnosed with ADHD can be delayed as much as 30% in their executive functioning skills. Processing speed, working memory, and self-regulation are all a part of our executive functioning. Processing speed is how fast we can compute a task and working memory, where we “temporarily” store and retain information are both sensitive to anxiety, stress and pressure. Emotional self-regulation is a person’s ability to understand and accept their emotional experience, manage their emotions and respond appropriately. It is challenging for a person who has been diagnosed with ADHD to be flexible and to regulate their attention and refocus when needed. It is often common for a person diagnosed with ADHD to be unable to regulate emotional reactions or responses and as a result appear highly sensitive or appear to over react.

Maintaining motivation in children can be a challenge due to deficits in their executive functioning. Attention requires motivation. As teachers and parents, it is important to help the child create motivation. Here are three ways to help children create motivation:

1. Creating Connections

It is important to be present in a child’s life. Find a way to connect with him or her. Small ways to help connect are making eye contact with a child. This helps them feel noticed. Speak from “I.” For example, you could say “When you _____ I feel_____. Find something to praise the child on, rather than reprimanding them. Help the child develop their own positive self-talk and self-appraisal awareness.

2. Self Awareness and Knowledge

Self Awareness and Knowledge are key in helping a child feel a sense of  internal control, motivation, and a willingness to learn. Help engage the child in thinking forward by helping setting small goals and action plans. By doing this, it will help strengthen the child’s cognitive abilities and decrease depression, anxiety and stress within the child. Part of self-knowledge is understanding self-talk which is something that children who are diagnosed with ADHD have a deficit in. To increase a child’s self-talk, let the child hear your thinking process and ask them questions rather than telling them what to do.

3. Autonomy

Children must feel they have a sense of control, choice and a sense of ownership. Allow the child to participate in creating rules for the home or classroom. When children realize there is a well-founded reason for the rules and guidelines there will be an increase in cooperation. When creating the rules, explain why the rules are being enacted, such as they are to keep you safe, physically and emotionally.