One of the biggest problems of children (even adult) with ADHD is low self-esteem. People with ADHD usually feel they are bad and have little value. Low self-esteem is a serious problem that can lead to underachieved lives, even drug or alcohol abuse when the kids grow up. How to deal with low self-esteem in children is a big question. Luckily, the answer is already found and you will find it in the next few paragraphs.
First thing first, help the child to concentrate and be less hyperactive
This is the first and foremost step that parent should do. It is very important to help the child reduce his/her hyperactivity, inattentiveness… The reason is you are going to make the kid feels good about himself by suggesting him do well and things he likes. If the hyperactive and inattentive is not treated, the subsequent tasks could be very difficult.
In order to help the kid becomes less active, it is necessary to help him sense the speed of his behaviors first. As you might know, kids with ADHD almost have no idea about their hyperactivity. They do things follow their instinct. Playing games with different frequencies can be a good thing to do to help the kids recognize and regulate his behavior.
Stop punishing frequently
While a good punishing/rewarding system is vital in order to train the children with ADHD, you must know that punishing too much will not do anything good, especially when the kids’ self-esteem need to be improved. What you need to do is to be close with the kid.
Punishing Is Not Good For Building Self-Esteem
Find things he does best
No one was born without any special ability, so does your kids. Don’t think he’s all bad. Open your mind and find what your child does best and encourage him to develop that ability. While finding things that your child can do well is important, it is also important to not force things that the child doesn’t like to do. Choose things he can do well and also enjoy doing that. When you have selected the right major that your child can excel, be sure to praise him for every progress he makes. Praise is very important but don’t give false praise simple it won’t work. Praise must be genuine and sincere.
Build self-awareness
Kids with low self-esteem usually feel bad about themselves. They think that they are not good at anything and consider “there is something wrong with their brain”. As you encourage the kid to does what he does best, you also show him his strengths and weaknesses. It is very important to teach him that no one is good at everything. Help the kid have a clear image of their strengths and weaknesses (which is self-awareness) will help him has a better view of his life and increase his self-awareness.
Increase self-esteem of children with ADHD is a very important thing that parents must do. In addition, this is not a simple task and can require months, even years. However, you must know that if you fail to improve the kids’ self-esteem, their lives can turn out to be a disaster. If you need a clear instruction, find a psychiatrist or a pediatrician.