ADHD? Maybe not….

Some kids don’t seem to have an off switch.

They’re going and going at home. Can’t seem to stop still.

Ironically, they don’t have this problem at school.

If that sounds like your kid, the problem may be lack of routine, structure and access to too many toys.

You see, at school, they are typically expected to be on a task… and there is no fooling around. They know what they have to do.

If they fool around, there is likely a signal from the teacher to settle down and get back to work. It can be delivered with many different kinds of words and with reasonable tone, but the child gets the message.

At home, we have free range kids, moving from one thing to another, sometimes lost in a sea of toys, quite frankly, overstimulated.

Limit the toys. Clear them out. Reduce clutter.

Already that begins to set the environment for less distractions making whatever toys remain, more high value for attention.

Then beyond that, add structure.

“You can play for 20 minutes, then it’s time for dinner.”

“After you put your stuff away, you can play.”

“Take some time after school to read in your room. It’s time to relax for a bit.”

“After dinner it’s time for your bath.”

Structure is provided by routine.

As the child experiences the routine, day after day, they internalize structure and begin to know what is expected of them. When this occurs in an uncluttered space/home, there are less distractions to get in the way.

Not all issues of attention are ADHD.

Some relate to the issues of routine, structure and clutter with access to too many toys at once.

Declutter. Set expectations through routines.

Hug your kid along the way.

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I am Gary Direnfeld and I am a social worker. Check out all my services and then call me if you need help with a personal issue, mental health concern, child behavior or relationship, divorce or separation issue or even help growing your practice. I am available in person and by video conferencing.

Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW

gary@yoursocialworker.com
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Gary Direnfeld is a social worker. Courts in Ontario, Canada, consider him an expert in social work, marital and family therapy, child development, parent-child relations and custody and access matters. Gary is the host of the TV reality show, Newlywed, Nearly Dead, former parenting columnist for the Hamilton Spectator and author of Marriage Rescue: Overcoming the ten deadly sins in failing relationships. Gary maintains a private practice in Georgina Ontario, providing a range of services for people in distress. He speaks at conferences and workshops throughout North America. He consults to mental health professionals as well as to mediators and collaborative law professionals about good practice as well as building their practice.