10 Tips to Improve Focus, Organization and Behavior
A comprehensive treatment program includes behavior management strategies as well. Here are some examples that may help your child’s natural abilities develop to their full potential:
- Create a schedule. Try to follow the same routine every day.
- Put up a copy of the schedule to provide visual reinforcement. Post the schedule in a prominent place so your child can see where he or she is expected to be during the day and when it’s time for homework, play, and chores.
- Try to keep tasks simple. Try not to have too many things on the schedule for your child to remember. This way he or she has a better chance of completing each task—this can provide a sense of accomplishment.
- Help your child get organized. Work with your child to create a “home” for his or her backpack, toys, and clothing so these items will be less likely to get lost.
- Always try to use brief, clear directions. For example, when reminding your child to pick up his clothes, consider saying, “you need to pick up your clothes and put them away” instead of “it would be nice if you picked up your clothes.”
- Limit distractions. It helps to have the TV, radio, and computer games off when your child is performing tasks, especially homework.
- Offer choices so your child feels involved in making decisions. However, it’s best to offer no more than two alternatives so that he or she isn’t overwhelmed or overstimulated.
- Goals and rewards can be effective. You can use a chart to list goals and track positive behaviors, then reward your child’s efforts. Goals should be realistic (think baby steps, not overnight success) and rewards need not be expensive (e.g., an extra half hour of TV time, choosing the movie on family movie night).
- Decisive, positive discipline usually works best. Using timeouts or removal of privileges can help, but try to tie the consequences to the inappropriate behavior (e.g., if your child doesn’t wear his helmet while bike riding, he doesn’t get to ride his bike for the rest of the day).
- Help your child discover his or her natural talents. You know your child has unique skills. When others see those skills as you do, it can lead to greater success for your child. Plus, when your child is doing something he or she loves and is good at, it builds confidence and self-esteem.
