Top 5 Tips for your NDer
I asked parents on our social accounts what their best tips and hacks are for keeping their neurospicy kids regulated and working with their ND brains, rather than against them. Here is what they said:
Crunchy Snacks for transitions: school pick up, leaving the house, time to turn off TV/screens, whatever the transition may be - hand that child a crunchy snack. Hunger - tick, sensory - tick, occupy them during a tricky time - tick.
Change the Contact Picture in your phone for the school/daycare: when school calls we often enter full alert. Changing the school contact pic to a photo of your ND child at their best/funniest/cutest will remind you that even if that call means today might not be the best day for your kid, they are still the best kid.
Strewing: a great concept for kids who find direct instructions, suggestions or demands challenging. Strewing is the act of leaving activities, snacks, games etc. placed out where they are clearly visible. For many ADHD kids out of sight is out of mind, and they can forget about their toys, colouring, games etc. Strewing will help engage them without having to constantly respond to calls of 'I'm booooored'.
Put On Your Shoes: does your child have something they need to get done? Homework, chores, whatever it may be, it has been proven that putting on shoes creates an unconcious sense of purpose.
The Bathroom Routine Two-Tub Hack: have a tub/container with their toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, hairbrush etc in the bathroom and a second empty tub. After each task is done the item moves to the empty tub so they know once all items are transferred, they are finished!