The simple statement “clean up your room” involves not so simple multiple multiple-steps and can be overwhelming. Try these suggestions from Monte Davenport, Ph.D.
Category: Parenting
Help Completing Routines
Children and teens with executive functioning problems often struggle to consistently complete routines. One way to help is to use a routine checklist: Try this one and the following procedure to get your child to take ownership of the process.
Tips to Help Your Child Follow Directions
Recently, I asked Michelle, a smart and determined girl who has attention challenges, what makes following directions so difficult for her.She thought for a second, and enthusiastically responded, “My imagination!” I could not have said it better! Much to the chagrin of our loved ones, the imaginations of children (and adults) with attention challenges often…
Structuring for Success with Multiple Step Tasks
Here’s a profound thought: By their very nature, multiple-step tasks include multiple opportunities for one to get “off-task.” This is especially true for those of us who are prone to getting “off-task” in the first place.
Try a little structuring to help your struggling child or teen experience success!
Six Tips for Dealing with Changes in Routine
Change is hard!
Because they thrive on routine, many children, teens, and young adults with executive functioning difficulties struggle to cope with changes in their daily routines. Resulting behaviors can vary from thunderous silence to a “screaming-banshee” temper-tantrum.
If your child or teen struggles with changes in her routine, try the six suggestions outlined in this post.
A Step-Wise Approach to Natural and Logical Consequences
Families often ask, “So, how do natural and logical consequences work in real-time?” Here’s a step-by-step example: 1. Consequences are proposed. When you have finished mowing the lawn, then you may go swimming. (Make sure swimming is something the teenager wants to do.) 2. You accept the child’s decision, follow through with consequences, and give…
Punishment vs. Natural and Logical Consequences
Families often ask, “What’s the difference between punishment and discipline using natural and logical consequences.” A few examples follow. Punishment expresses the parent’s authority. Logical consequences express choice. Example: TV blaring early on a weekend morning. Punishment: Turn off the TV right now or you’re grounded from TV! Logical: Allison, I realize you enjoy watching…
Principles for Using Natural and Logical Consequences
I wish I could take credit for inventing natural and logical consequences. This parenting tool has been around a lot longer than I have, but I have seen its miraculous impact on families. Here are some key principles for making it work for you. Set your child up for success. Before using natural and logical…
Natural and Logical Consequences 101
The purpose of using natural and logical consequences is to help your child make responsible decisions, rather than to force submission. This method allows your child to choose and then to be accountable for his decision. When allowed to make their own decisions, most children learn from the consequences. Parents can use these opportunities to…
Flexibly Structured Discipline
The purpose of using natural and logical consequences is to help your child make responsible decisions, rather than to force submission. This method allows your child to choose and then to be accountable for his decision. When allowed to make their own decisions, most children learn from the consequences. Parents can use these opportunities to…
The Power of Positive Attention
As parents, we can easily get stuck in a cycle of paying negative attention toward our children: often giving commands in rapid-fire succession before they even have time to respond. Research has shown that the attention we give our children is a powerful reward or consequence. Children crave attention: to a child, any attention is…