Teenagers mostly have difficult and strained relationships, but if a child has Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), then it can complicate the situation further. Several precautions must be taken with ADHD children to make sure that we don’t make their situation worse. It is a good thing that ADHD is now more discussed, and these children are not neglected while being dubbed as notorious.
As a parent or guardian, you may want to take care of the following things if you have a child with ADHD:
Children with ADHD show signs of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity in specific ways. 
These children:
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- Are in constant motion
- Squirm and fidget
- Do not seem to listen
- Have trouble playing quietly
- Often talk excessively
- Interrupt or intrude on others
- Are easily distracted
- Do not finish tasks
As a parent or guardian, you may want to take care of the following things if you have a child with ADHD:
1. Keep calm and don’t yell
Yelling at your children will only make the situation worse for them. It is important to keep your calm while talking to them, and don’t use phrases like “I told you so!” when something goes wrong. Be patient while talking to them, listen carefully, and make them feel like they can talk to you about anything.
2. Don’t pressurize them over poor grades
ADHD children are always likely to not be able to perform well academically. Putting too much unrealistic pressure over them for grades won’t help anyone. Accept their performance, and help them do better by tackling the problems they may be having in studies instead of blaming them.
3.Regulate their driving
Due to their inability to pay proper attention and taking impulsive decision, teenagers with ADHD are much more likely to be involved in a road accident than others. Make sure you don’t let them drive out with irresponsive friends, or alone. In the first few years of their driving, it is always better to let them drive with family members.
4. Do keep a watch on them for alcoholism or drug abuse
Children with ADHD are also susceptible to be driven into taking alcohol or drugs due to peer pressure or mere persuasion. Alcohol or drugs can further make their ADHD worse; therefore it is very important to keep a watch for such activities.
5. Support them in improving on their hobbies.
Children with ADHD are much more likely to do better professionally in something that they can pay proper attention to, without being distracted too much. Developing their hobbies may help them make a profession out of it – arts, music, sports, or anything they enjoy doing.
6. Let them know when their behavior is good or bad
While yelling doesn’t help, it is necessary to let them know how their behavior is being seen by you. Reward them with something they like when their behavior is good. When their behavior is bad, you can let them know that it is not acceptable by doing things such as cutting off television time.
7. Keep in touch with their school
Let the school know of their condition, and seek constant feedback from them on their behavior and performance in school. Keep in touch with their school to be fully aware of what is going on with them.
8. Set time for electronics use
Electronic items such as television, mobile phone, laptop, etc. are a major distraction. Don’t let your child use them for very long duration. Set times, for example, only 1 hour television daily, limited computer use, and such. Don’t take them off electronics completely, or else they might get very irritated, and even more distracted. A limited use will ensure that there are minimum distraction while studying, sleeping, etc.
9. Help them socialize
Children with ADHD have a very hard time socializing, especially with their peers. Help them socialize with people. Invite some of their more understanding and mature friends at your house, and let them spend time with your child.
Let them know you’re there for them
If you want to have a constructive relationship with them, it is pivotal to make them feel like they can always share anything and everything with you without being unfairly judged. This will boost their confidence significantly, and help them perform better.
