Do’s
- Be clear about what exactly the problem is rather than looking at diagnoses.
- Address these problems directly.
- See the problem as something that has characteristics and a life of its own.
- Notice how this problem has different effects on the lives of everyone it touches.
- Be on the lookout for how you can join with others, particularly the child, to undermine the strength of the problem.
- Try to do this without excluding or isolating anyone.
- Look for evidence of the child’s success over the problem.
- Make the most of the child’sis success.
- Create a context for the recognition and encouragement of success.
- If the child takes medication, give him/her/them credit for theirtheir contribution to any success.
- When the child has outgrown the diagnosis of ADD or ADHD, celebrate their graduation.
Don’ts
- Don’t give in to the pressure to label or diagnose.
- Don’t notice only the problematic behaviors.
- Don’t think of medication as the “solution.”
- Don’t blame yourself for your child’s difficulties.
- Don’t let the experience of this problem isolate you from others who might provide support.