One of the best things you can do to prevent ADHD meltdowns, says Ari Tuckman, PsyD, a clinical psychologist in West Chester, Pennsylvania and author of More Attention, Less Deficit, is to know what your child’s triggers are. That way you can head them off at the pass. Tuckman suggests that you try to identify those situations that are going to cause your child to have a meltdown. The more you can identify the things that spark a reaction, the fewer fires you’ll have to put out later. “Putting out fires is never as fun or as effective as preventing them in the first place,” he says. If you see a meltdown coming, try to intervene — the sooner the better, Tuckman adds. For example, if you see your children playing and notice that something has put your son with ADHD on edge, try to distract him. Suggest that he might want to play with a different toy. Ask: Does anyone want a snack? “Try to interrupt the behavior that’s likely to cause your child to have a meltdown,” he says. Sometimes, removing the child from a situation that can only end badly is the best solution. If you try these tips and still find that your child is having frequent explosions, seek professional help. Don’t wait until the situation is unbearable to deal with it, Tuckman cautions. Your best hope of avoiding meltdowns is to stop them before they start.
