Un été sous le signe du plaisir et de la santé pour les enfants ayant un TDAH

Tous les enfants ont hâte aux vacances d’été, mais les parents d’un enfant ayant un trouble de déficit de l’attention avec hyperactivité (TDAH) peuvent trouver la transition à la liberté estivale quelque peu difficile pour leur enfant. En effet, l’école procure aux enfants un horaire stable, et les enfants ayant un TDAH ont besoin de conserver cette structure quotidienne. Comment les parents peuvent-ils planifier pour créer un équilibre entre le plaisir et la routine pour leur enfant?

Going to daycamp

Dr. Lily Hechtman, a pediatric psychiatrist at the Montreal Children’s Hospital (MCH) and president of the Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance, suggests sending a child with ADHD to a daycamp over the summer. Daycamps are a great option because they will keep your child entertained by offering structure, supervision and the added bonus of physical activity. But be warned - not all daycamps are the same. When choosing a daycamp for your child, Dr. Hechtman recommends looking at the staff-to-child ratio, because the level of supervision might not be adequate for your child’s needs.

Picking the right activity

If daycamp is not an option, pick a local activity that involves small groups of children, and avoid activities with big groups, as this can overwhelm a child with ADHD. More intimate gatherings will help your child learn to socialize without feeling over-stimulated.

Dr. Hechtman also encourages parents to focus on activities that a child is good at and enjoys, because it’s important for them to experience success in order to increase their self-esteem and confidence.

Planning a schedule

If you decide to stay at home with your child over the summer, it’s important to create daily schedules, which should also include some sort of physical activity. Once you create a schedule, sit down with your child and go over the day’s events, including what’s expected and how long each activity will last.

You should also develop a nighttime routine, says Dr. Hecthman. Emphasize the importance of getting ready for bed by asking your child to start preparing for bedtime about 45 minutes before turning the lights out. Don’t put your child in front of a computer or television screen right before bedtime, because they will continue to stay energized instead of winding down. Developing a schedule and daily routine is extremely important for kids with ADHD.