find order in childhood disorders

ADD, ADHD, ODD..the list goes on and they all end with the same "D"--disorder. The D travels with the diagnosed kids, sometimes making for an uncomfortable day. Teachers are upset, parents are upset and most importantly the kids themselves are upset. Some days may seem like a losing battle to these kids. Add a new letter, O = Order. Here are 3 easy steps to help add some "O!"

1. make it mundane

Routine and structure are comforting. We all like to know what to expect. As basic as it sounds, regular (early) betimes, mealtimes and diet choices are key. With the rush of each school week, it's easy to stray and have a fast food dinner after baseball practice followed by a late bedtime and homework finished over breakfast in the morning. While this may fit in all the activities, it's not setting your child up for success. Slow down. Take a breath. Decide what's most important here--getting your child's behavior back under your child's control. Make sure to keep the routines simple and predictable.



2. visit school

We are visual creatures by nature. Your hearing the descriptions of your child's school behavior may not be enough--you might need to see it, too. Schedule an appointment--drop-ins are not usually met with open arms--with your school to first discuss the behaviors (be sure to bring an extra set of ears as you might not catch all the details) and then ask to observe your child where you can't be seen (behaviors typically change when a parent is spotted). Once you see the targeted behaviors occur in school, you might recognize them in other settings and can then use the teachable moment to help your child find different behavioral choices to make once back in school.



3. group work

Social skills groups are so beneficial because they use the power of peer pressure. While individual counseling is great, sometimes having the therapist tell the kid-on-the-couch what he needs to do (not the goal of most therapy sessions, but sometimes the perception of the child/client) can be met with some resistance. A skilled group leader can coax all those great lessons right out of the mouths of your child's peers. Anything sounds better coming from a friend than an adult! Ask your school guidance counselor for a list of outside counseling resources and recommendations for a social skills group. Look/ask for a group covering social skills, impulse control, and self-esteem.