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| Hand out a form for each member of the team to fill |
How?
Here are 7 steps:
1. Make a form to list the 3 strengths of the ADHD child (i.e. the things the child is good at) and 3 things one like about the child as follows:
Think of three strengths (i.e. things he is good at):
1.
2.
3.
Think of three things you like about Jeffrey:
1.
2.
3.
2. Give a sheet to everyone in the immediate family of the child and his teacher, if she is willing to participate.
3. Ask them to think, reflect and write down their answers
4. Then pray hard that hearts would be moved to see the good in each special ADHD child and leave it to God. If they have mental blocks, the following list of strengths may help them to reflect.
Some Possible Strengths of Children with ADHD:
If you could not think of any strengths, consider the following and see if any of them describe your child. Though not all will describe your child, as each ADHD child is special, you would definitely find one that describes your child:
- Athletic
- Artistic
- Articulate - can say things well
- Big picture thinker
- Caring
- Cheerful
- Creative
- Compassionate
- Courageous
- Curious
- Eager to make new friends
- Enthusiastic
- Empathy - Understand what it's like to be teased or to be in trouble, so are understanding of other kids
- Entrepreneurship
- Energetic
- Forgiving
- Friendly
- Happy-go-lucky
- Helpful - Volunteer to help others
- Honest
- Humorous - Good sense of humour
- Hyperfocus
- Imaginative
- Innovative
- Intelligence
- Inquisitive
- Interested in new things
- Genuine
- Get along well with adults
- Great memory
- Kind
- Perceptive ways to do things
- Playful
- Multi-tasking - Can do several things at one time
- Optimistic
- Ready to talk, can talk a lot
- Scouting
- Spontaneous
- See details that other people miss
- Thinking outside the box - Can think of different and new ways of doing things
- Very good at taking care of younger kids
- Willing to try things - take risks
- Warm and loving
5. Sit down with the child and share with him all the strengths that others see in him to encourage him.
6. Tell the child that when he feels down, he should take the list out and remind himself of how useful he is to the society with his strengths (no matter how small the strengths are. Actually, there are no small strengths.)
7. Work with the child to take advantage of their strengths.
ADHD children CAN DO WELL in life, if they take advantage of their strengths. Now that you have taken stock of your child's strengths, work together as a team to help your child take advantage of his strengths to their benefit and to the benefit of the society. It is not something that is achieved overnight, but a long-term project and through it all, your child and you will mature and learn a lot during the process. It may be hard going, and at times, you feel as if you don't see the end of the tunnel. Remember that when things seem bleak, God is in control and has a good purpose. Trust Him. The following Bible verses encourages me:
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28
God's plan for His children is always good. Often it is the adversity that humbles us, makes us stronger and helps us to become a person more than the ordinary. Remember Richard Brandson? If not for his life experiences, he would not be who he is today. If he does not have ADHD, he may not have achieved what he did today. We have to trust Him and trust in His Word. His plan for us is always good:
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11
References:
http://addkids.tripod.com/positives.html
http://www.thebettermom.com/2015/9/22/discovering-your-childs-unique-gifts
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| Contributions from Nai Nai |
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