Solutions – do’s and don’t’s

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.