How To Motivate A Teenager With ADHD

We'll provide you with some tips on how to motivate a teenager with ADHD symptoms in this article. Also, you'll learn about possible treatments available for teens with ADHD.

5 Ways to Motivate ADHD Teens

Get more involved with your teen

Getting more involved with your younger children helps create a more positive and supportive environment for them. Start by getting to know their friends, understanding their hobbies and interests, and being present in their daily lives. Connecting with your teen in this way can help build trust and encourage them to talk about their struggles. [2]

Additionally, supporting teens can be easier if you keep the lines of communication open. Listening to what they have to say without judgment and offering encouragement can help teenagers succeed despite their condition.

Getting More Involved With Your Teen

• Set aside time each day to check in with your teenager.
• Find activities that both you and your teen enjoy and make it a point to do them together.
• Show up for their school events like parent-teacher meetings, sports games, and performances.
• Take an interest in their hobbies and passions.
• Get to know their friends and their parents.
• Offer help with homework or school projects.
• Being involved doesn't mean doing everything for them. Encourage independence by involving them in decision-making processes, like family meals or holiday plans.
• Ensure your teen knows they can talk to you about anything, without judgment or punishment.
• Celebrate their achievements, however small. Let them know you're proud of them and appreciate their efforts.

Helpful tip

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Learn more about your teens' activities in middle school

Knowing what your child is doing in middle school gives you, as their parent, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to bond with them before adulthood. You can learn about your child's classes and daily extracurricular activities by speaking to the teacher and coach. [3]

It'll help you gauge their progress and find solutions or resources for their difficulties.

How To Learn More About Your Teen's Activities in Middle School

• School meetings provide an opportunity to learn about your teen's academic progress, behavior in school, and any potential issues.
• Don't hesitate to email or call their teachers if you have specific concerns or questions.
• Many schools have online portals where they post grades, assignments, and announcements. Regularly checking this can keep you updated on your teen's academic performance.
• Attend school events like sports games, concerts, and plays. These can provide insight into your teen's interests and social circles.
• If possible, volunteer for school events or trips. This can provide a first-hand glimpse into your teen's school environment.
• Directly ask your teen about their day. Ask open-ended questions.
• Encourage them to join clubs or teams and stay informed about their involvement.
• Ensure your teen knows they can talk to you about their school experiences, both positive and negative.

Helpful tip

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Help your teen set goals that align with their interests

Having goals is a great way to motivate a teenager with hyperactivity disorder. It’s best to help them identify meaningful and relevant goals to their interests. Ensure the goals are achievable and there are incentives or external rewards in place to help your teen stay motivated.[4]

Start by discussing the type of goals they would like to achieve. For example, if your teenager loves music, they might set a goal to learn a new instrument or to compose a song. Or, if they’re interested in technology, they could aim to create an app. Once you have identified the goal, help your teen break it down into smaller, more manageable steps like a to-do list. That way, each step feels like a small accomplishment rather than an overwhelming chore.

Helping Your Teen Set Goals Aligned with Their Interests

• If your teen is passionate about a particular subject, you could help them set academic goals/artistic goals/athletic goals related to that subject. For example, if they love science, they might set a goal to win a prize at the science fair or achieve a certain grade in their exams.
• If your teen wants to improve their social skills, they might set a goal to join a club, make a new friend, or take on a leadership role in a group they're involved in.
• Help them develop personal goals, these could be related to personal growth or self-improvement. For example, if your teen wants to be more organized, a goal could be to keep their room clean for a month or maintain a planner for all their assignments.
• If your teen has a clear career interest, help them set goals that align with it. For instance, if they're interested in programming, they could aim to learn a new coding language or develop their first app.

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Set appropriate rewards for accomplished goals when parenting teens with ADHD

When it comes to motivating a teenager with ADHD, rewarding them for accomplishing goals is an important step. The rewards you offer should be appropriate to the goal and tailored to your teen’s individual needs and interests.

For example, if your teenager has made strides in their academic functioning, offering them a chance to do something they enjoy – such as visiting an amusement park or taking a memorable trip – may be more motivating than offering cash or material rewards.

Also, it can be helpful to set up a reward system in which rewards increase incrementally based on the level of effort. This will encourage your teen to work hard and stay motivated to continue working towards their goals.

Finally, providing consistent praise and recognition along the way is important. Even small compliments like “You worked hard on that project” or “I'm proud of you for meeting your deadline” can go a long way toward keeping your teen motivated.

How To Set Appropriate Rewards for Teens with ADHD

• If your teenager is passionate about a particular hobby, use that as a reward. For example, if they love music, a reward could be attending a concert or purchasing a new album from their favorite band.
• Experiences often hold more value than material items. Reward your teen with a family outing to a theme park, or a movie night with their choice of film.
• If your teenager has made significant academic progress, you could reward them with a new book, educational software, or even a tutor in a subject they're interested in mastering.
• Allowing your teen to have some extra personal time can also be a great reward.
• If your teenager is interested in developing a particular skill, you could reward their achievements with classes or equipment that will help them hone that skill.
• If your teenager is interested in fitness or wellness, consider rewards such as a new pair of running shoes, or a yoga mat.

The rewards you offer should reflect your teen's accomplishments and be proportional to their efforts. Always remember, the aim is to motivate and encourage them, not to create a transactional relationship where they only work for rewards.

Ensure the consequences of irresponsible behavior are fair and consistent

It's crucial to ensure the penalties for reckless actions are just and consistent if you want to motivate teens with ADHD. Punishment should be focused on correcting the behavior rather than punishing the person. Teenagers with ADHD, in particular, may struggle to regulate their impulses and may not comprehend why their actions have long-term consequences. [5]

Parents should be careful to establish rules that are clear and consistent. Teenagers with ADHD are more likely to respond positively when they know what is expected of them. In addition, they should understand the consequences of their actions. For example, if your teen misses curfew or fails to complete an assignment, there should be immediate consequences. This may include a time-out, restricted privileges, or a verbal warning.

In addition, parents should be careful not to punish their kids too harshly. Remember that teens with ADHD lack focus and control of their behavior. Remember that positive reinforcement works better for teaching than punishments for kids.

How To Ensure Fair and Consistent Consequences for Irresponsible Behavior

• If your teen breaks curfew, an appropriate consequence might be to move their curfew up earlier for a specified period, such as a week or two.
• If your teenager consistently neglects their chores, they might lose certain privileges.
• If your teen's grades are suffering because they're not putting in the effort, you could limit leisure activities until their grades improve.
• If your teen is disrespectful, a suitable consequence could be an apology, either verbal or written, and possibly an additional task to make amends.
• If your teen doesn't adhere to the agreed-upon study schedule, they might lose privileges, such as using the car for a week.

What Are the Best Treatments Available for an ADHD Teen?

People with ADHD have access to a wealth of online resources, support groups, and hotlines.

Here are a few of them:

1. Online Therapy: With this service, a licensed personal therapist will be assigned to you to help you from beginning to end. You will enjoy complete secrecy regarding your present health situation because it is a paid subscription.
2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Two classes of stimulants and non-stimulants have been FDA-approved to lessen the signs of ADHD and enhance functioning in kids as young as age 6.If you want to know if your teen has ADHD, you can take this quick ADHD test. 

Personal Stories Of Parents With ADHD Children

Lorian Phillips

Lorian Phillips was once a highly stressed parent of two ADHD boys, one inattentive and dreamy, the other hyperactive and chaotic. Despite her background as a therapist, dealing with her sons' ADHD was a challenge she wasn't prepared for. Recognizing that their behaviors weren't intentional, she began to educate herself on the condition, learning that traditional discipline strategies often fell short for children with ADHD. Instead, she implemented motivational strategies like reward systems and activities that interested and engaged her sons' brains, which significantly improved their behavior and family dynamics.

Years later, Lorian now looks back at the tumultuous parenting years as a distant memory. She emphasizes that while ADHD doesn't disappear, effective parenting techniques can greatly help in managing the condition. Today, both her sons are adults who have learned to manage their ADHD effectively. Based on her personal experiences and extensive research, Lorian has developed a course to help other parents of children with ADHD, providing them with tools and strategies to better understand and manage the condition.

Read Lorian's story.

Conclusion

Motivating a teen with ADHD can be challenging. However, by getting involved in their life, learning more about what they are doing, setting achievable goals, rewarding their success, and providing consequences for irresponsible actions, any parent can help ensure their teen has the drive and confidence to succeed.

Online therapy offers personalized guidance and strategies for parents to effectively support and motivate their ADHD teens, enhancing their overall well-being.

FAQ

References

1. Data and Statistics About ADHD
2. Building Positive Learning Environments for Young Children Starts with You
3. 11 Important Questions To Ask Your Child’s School Teacher
4. Goal Setting Strategies to Help Teenagers - Investing Money
5. War & Peace: Discipline Strategies for Teens with ADHD