Over the decades, Fastbraiin providers have compiled many ADHD strategies and tools from medical text books, articles, lectures, and experience, to help channel the ADHD / Fastbraiin brain to do its best.
What follows are the ADHD strategies and main areas where what and how we do things change our mind’s and body’s response. We have come to call these the FastBraiin Method.
1. Intake
I used to call this ADHD diet or nutrition, but really it is much more. This ADHD strategy is more than just the food and nutrients that we put into our bodies. It includes all the different chemicals (foods are chemicals too!) that accompany what we put in orally, apply to our skin, and inhale. ALL SERVE AS INFORMATION FOR THE BODY. The body must either utilize or eliminate each chemical. In the process, resources are used up, or interactions occur that effect how our bodies and our brains react. Each of us is unique in how we deal with these substances. Be careful not to under-value this ADHD strategy. Our genetics play a roll, but 70% of our genetic deficiencies can be modified with attention to our lifestyle and nutrition.
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2. Rest
Quality sleep is essential for best behavior and learning. Allowing enough time to sleep is critical. Set up a routine that promotes good sleep habits.
3. Stress
Stress interferes with best performance, learning and self-image. Providing outlets for stress is very important. Examples include: guided imagery, meditation, quiet activities (coloring), and Tai-Chi. While this is really a number of ADHD strategies, the key is focusing on how you deal with stress.
4. Learning
Learning how to learn is what childhood is about. Repetition, quizzing and review establish the routine for learning. Knowing HOW your ADHD (FastBraiin) child learns directs your approach to helping your child gain mastery over the material.
5. Strengths
Work from strengths. Many times attention is paid to building up your child’s weaknesses. Instead, focus on ADHD strategies that emphasize what your child is good at and enjoys. You know those areas. Encourage them to use these skills and activities to build self-esteem and contribute in their way to the world.
6. Exercise
Regular, vigorous exercise enables the mind and body to perform at its best. Breaking up study times with brief, vigorous exercise, allows your child to refocus on the material. One example is the 7-minute workout (free apps for your computer, smart phone or tablet). After every 10-20 minutes of study (your child’s focus time) have them do 1-2 exercises (1 1/2 minutes), then resume study.
7. Parenting
Parenting an ADHD child is challenging and utilizes a different set of tools than parenting other children. Basics of parenting strategies for ADHD children include consistency, setting boundaries, offering praise (5 times more than criticism), and often behavior modification techniques. Counseling can help you attain the skills needed to parent your child most effectively.
8. Therapy
Many family and social situations (single parenthood, divorce, bullying) aggravate the behavior of your child. Often children need an environment OUTSIDE the family to express themselves. An ADHD qualified therapist can provide your family with the proper tools and treatments necessary to better handle stress, establish more consistent parenting, and create an effective behavior modification plan.
9. Limiting Screen Time
Though computer skills are essential in the world today and tomorrow, screen time, especially as a young child has been shown to be disruptive to learning and self-control. Though various games can be enriching (e.g. Minecraft), strict limitation on times spent with tablets, smart phones, computers and TVs are important to allow time for sleep, study and exercise. There should be NO screen time 1-2 HOURS before bed as this disrupts the body’s natural hormone melatonin from effectively helping your child get to sleep and have a quality night’s rest. You might call these ADHD strategies, "the off button."
10. Believe In Your Child
This is the most important strategy. They need you in their corner, supporting, nurturing and encouraging them to be their best, try their hardest and feel successful. You need to help them to see how far they have come in the acquisition of new skills and knowledge, and to ensure they themselves take pride in their own accomplishments.
The FastBraiin Method is always changing as we learn new information and gain experience in effectively treating ADHD.
For a fully immersive experience into FastBraiin's Parenting Resources, learn more about our Parenting Success Program which includes:
(1) 90-Day Focus Planner
(1) Flipping ADHD on Its Head (Hardcover Book)
(1) Parent Workbook
Plus Membership Access to the FastBraiin Parenting Video Series
(30+ Videos by Dr. Jim to guide you through the program and provide a deeper understanding and appreciation for your child's FastBraiin, including additional insights on the strategies and resources over and above what's included in the book and workbook.)