Here are some important elements to help your child or teenager with ADD or ADHD:

1. Create a daily schedule for your child or teen with specific chores and daily duties. Place the chart where your child or teen can see the list( back of the door, refrigerator, bathroom mirror etc)

2. Parents will simplify directions: ex: please come to the table instead of I want you to do A, B, C, D.

3. Gross motor movements: get your child and teen involved in exercise and sports daily( the more intense the better).

4. Progressive Relaxation and meditation

5. Imagery and visualization

6. Prepare your child and teen between activities with a time line.

ADD or ADHD or the combined type is a popular diagnosis made in the mental health field for children and teens at school and at home.

The most common features of ADD or ADHD include; Impulsiveness: blurting out answers, difficulty waiting or taking ones turn, interrupting conversations.

Another common feature of ADD or ADHD is; Hyperactivity; fidgeting, squirms, runs and climbs excessively, talks excessively.

ADD and ADHD in teens may have another feature called inattention: careless mistakes, details are missed at home and at school, does not follow through with chores, or duties. A child or teen may have challenges with organization at home and at school.

A child or teen may avoid homework or school work that requires a mental effort. The adolescent may lose personal items frequently.Adolescents and children may be easily distracted and forgetful.

Family counseling and family therapy combined with child or teen counseling can address the above issues. Behavior modification counseling, anger management counseling, self esteem counseling, social skills counseling can help a child or teen with add or adhd.