ADHD Strategies: Impulsiveness
Strategies to Help Problems Caused by Impulsiveness in ADHD
Some helpful tips to help deal with the impulsive symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as attention deficit disorder.
I started this list several years ago and have added to it every so often. It was originally started as a handout to give to teachers. However, I have modified it slightly to make it more applicable to a wider range of individuals. More information about ADHD impulsivity symptoms, please see my article entitled Spotlight on Impulsiveness.
1. Emotions are impulses. Recognize that you may have more emotional outbursts than other people may have.
2. If you are subject to outbursts of anger, invest in a punching bag or other safe outlet for your excess emotion. Releasing the emotion safely is much healthier and will help get rid of it quicker.
3. Carry a pad around with you to jot down ideas you might have during a conversation. Rather than interrupt, you can save it until there is a break.
4. Establish a daily routine.
5. If you habitually interrupt conversations, sit with your hand over your mouth or bite your lip softly to remind yourself not to wait for a pause before speaking.
6. When shopping, only carry enough money for what you need. Keep credit cards and extra money locked up in your car or at home. The time spent going to get your extra money will help you consider the "impulse" purchase you want to make.
7. Always wait to send email when dealing with an emotional subject. It is too easy to send things you'll regret later. Have someone review what you wrote before sending something.
8. Recognize you have a low frustration tolerance. When frustration is building, walk away from the situation if you can. Explain to people that you need to take time out before continuing. If you can't take a break, take a deep breath, try to relax, and focus on what aspects of the situation you can change not what is unchangeable.
For Teachers and Students:
9. Limit choices in tasks, topics, and activities.
10. Recognize that impulsiveness can mean increased energy at a task.
11. Teach children who interrupt how to save their ideas and recognize a pause in the conversation.
12. Help the student list impulsive acts. Then, list the negative consequences for impulsive acts and the more pleasant alternatives if thought had been used instead.
13. Use games in the classroom that require sustained concentration and impulse control to help improve them in the student.
14. Establish a daily routine; provide models for what you want the student to do.
15. Teach children who interrupt how to recognize pauses in conversations and how to hang on to ideas.
16. Teach student hand signals and use them to tell student when and when not to talk.
17. Make sure student is called on when hand is raised in appropriate manner.
18. Acknowledge positive behavior of nearby students.
19. During games, give the student a responsible job (e.g. team captain, care and distribution of the balls, score keeping, etc.).
20. Pair with responsible peer (rotate responsible students so that they don't wear out!).
21. Ignore minor, inappropriate behavior.
22. Supervise closely during transition times.
23. Set up a behavior contract. Set up achievable rewards as well as consequences.
24. Increase immediacy of rewards and consequences.
- Use time-out procedure for misbehavior.
- Use "prudent" reprimands for misbehavior (i.e. avoid lecturing or criticism).
- Attend to positive behavior with compliments etc.
Have your own favorite strategy? Please add it in the discussion for this page.
