Alpine Behavior Therapy Clinic

Stimulation during the holiday season can strongly impact a hyperactive child. This stimulation has an even greater impact when coupled with a family’s recent relocation or change of home environment. Even minor changes in home surroundings, or the altering of once familiar circumstances, presents a stimulating, time-limited novelty and poses a sense of energizing unpredictability for a child who depends on structure. When holiday decorations and guests appear, the hyperactive child becomes instantly stimulated and can easily spiral out of control. Suddenly, action starts and everyone becomes a captive audience to the boundless energy of this highly spirited child. Sound familiar?

When parenting a hyperactive child, it is crucial to understand basic, research based principles about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). When these individuals’ sensory experiences become overloaded, their internal filters issue an “overstimulation” signal. This means excess stimulation in the environment goes beyond their ability to absorb at one time. This impact can result in behavioral extremes ranging from impulsive temper, mood wings, and hyperactivity to emotional withdrawal. ADHD children rely on structure and predictability to provide them comfort and security. Holiday activities, although fun, interrupt daily routines. Understanding, planning, and providing accommodations will make for much more pleasant holiday celebrations in families raising hyperactive children. Portable, useful strategies will better prepare you, your family and your child for the drastic changes during the holiday season.

Parents, first take care of you. Accept that at the holidays, your home may be more hectic and chaotic. Hire extra help, if you can. Take a long, hard look at what is important to you about the holidays and then pare things down. Prioritize lists, review them, and eliminate the unnecessary. Conserve and maintain your parenting energy. Eat healthy, get rest and some physical exercise. Keep in mind that a frazzled, weary parent can be a setup for difficult encounters with a needy, hyperactive child who craves attention.

Next, realize most children notice everything. For ADHD children, their attention wanders toward the most obscure details in their worlds. This tendency may pose problems in a focus-demanding environment, like school, yet it may indicate creativity. Maintain routines, such as bedtime, meals, bathing and teeth brushing. Use visual charts to spell out your expectations then reward them for their consistent efforts. Provide them opportunities to attain reachable goals. ADHD children thrive on their prior successes. Chunk, or simplify, holiday activities. Make only one batch of cookies with your child, instead of eight varieties with elaborate decorations.

At the holidays, refrain from overindulging your hyperactive child with excess sweets, treats, toys, etc. Be willing to intervene on the spot and budget what your child receives. Opening all the gifts at one time will surely overstimulate your hyperactive child. These children generally lack the internal controls to set limits. Teach them to open one gift at a time, or allow them to pace unwrapping gifts over several days throughout the holiday season. This will prolong the holiday spirit, and help minimize the sense of let-down that ultimately arises for them when the holidays are over.

Take the opportunity to instill and reinforce your family’s personal definition of the holidays. ADHD children tend to be highly compassionate and emotionally sensitive. Now is a great time to practice values, such as giving to others less fortunate. Help your children de-clutter their closets and drawers. Donate old toys, books, clothing and outdated items. This tactic accomplishes both simplifying their personal space, and modeling selflessness and charity to others. Keep healthy, nutritional snacks handy. Finger foods are a big hit, since they can be grabbed and gobbled quickly. Baby carrots, celery with peanut butter, string cheese, whole grain crackers, apple slices, etc. are sound choices to provide for your child.

Try designating a family tradition (or initiate a new one). Consider your child’s personality to gauge this, but don’t be afraid to try something new yourself. Seeing the Nutcracker can be a treat for you, yet it may bore your child. Settle for a short holiday TV classic instead, tour town to look at colored lights, take treats to the elderly, or some such manageable activity. Be realistic in your standards here. Once novelty wears thin, the attention span is off to something more challenging and stimulating, and it may not be your favorite holiday ballet.

Traveling with hyperactive children also requires planning, especially at the holidays. A pre-packed activity bag is a must. If you are fortunate to have a DVD or VCR to travel with, allow your child to select their favorite movies to take along. Play visual scanning games like I-Spy, or practice math skills by counting the number of red trucks passing by, etc. Encourage others to give your ADHD child gifts that teach, enhance skills or provide comfort. For example, stuffed animals now feature microwavable heating elements and aromatic herbs which induce relaxation and promote sleep.

Involve your child in ways that maximize and complement their skills. ADHD is an invisible handicap, so we often forget that these children may have difficulty with tasks that their same age peers have mastered. If you find yourself constantly frustrated or disappointed in your child, you may be overestimating his or her abilities.

Allow hyperactive children to practice their originality. Making cards or artwork provides them a focus, becomes an energy release and an expression of their holiday experience. This activity will also provide you with a barometer of your child’s abilities. Most folks thrill at the uniqueness of thought and design behind the creations of these delightful and inspiring children.

When the holidays end, give your child something simple to help store away. This teaches them organization. Then resume routines, and reacquaint your child with peaceful, quiet time. Play soothing music, read or just spend time together. Above all, remember that as parents we are the models of behavior our children constantly study.

Lisa Kurth, M.S., L.P.C. is Clinical Director of Alpine Behavior Therapy Clinic in Fort Collins. She specializes in the assessment and treatment of children and adults. She can be reached at (970) 482-7771 or www.ABTClinic.com