Solutions for Troublesome Daily Transitions

Day-to-day transitions tend to be a common frustration shared by children with ADHD and their parents, especially when that means moving on from a preferred activity. At times, these seemingly simple shifts from task to task can cause significant dysregulation, anxiety, and distress for you and your child. In order to achieve smoother transitions, it is crucial that parents first understand the source of dysregulation and what their child is experiencing. With that knowledge, parents can better empathize with their child during episodes of dysregulation, engage in co-regulation, and apply the tools taught in therapy.

Here are some of the tools I give parents:

• Front loading: Giving your child a full outline of what is about to happen and what to expect

• Using a visual and auditory count down

• Giving 20-, 10- and 5-minute reminders before the transition

• Applying language such as, ‘put a pin in it,’ so your child knows they can come back to a preferred activity

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Again, while these techniques can be helpful in preparing your child for change, a true understanding of your child’s experience and the ability to co-regulate are necessary to ease transitions.

If your child or teen has ADHD and daily transitions are challenging, click the link to schedule a consultation or give us a call at 720-689-6166.

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