Building Self-Efficacy d out

 

  • This is the first way to help build self-efficacy… it will take some time and patience with the process. ADHD brains have lower levels of dopamine which are the feel good chemicals in our brains which makes it way more difficult to recognize a win or feel the reward from it. Not to mention they have tons of experiences that create stories in their minds that they aren’t good enough.

    How can you help?

    1. Comment on as many positive things as you can about what they are doing to make an impact on their situation.

    2. Ask them what they did to impact the situation?

    3. Remind them of past wins.

  • There can be days, weeks or even months that it might feel like a stretch to find a win. When we change our mindset and focus on the leading activities that create wins it makes it a lot easier to celebrate the actions being taken to achieve success.

    Leading Actions to Celebrate:

    1. Tracking an assignment name (use DisruptADHD to capture) or attempt a planner.

    2. Scheduling the week and using timeblocking.

    3. Putting in time and effort on an assignment.

    4. Having a good attitude.

    5. Turning in an assignment.

  • Create an environment that will cultivate success.

    -Mindset is the first environment to tackle. When we focus on loving the person and building up the relationship…we can begin to see how to alter or evolve current structure, routines, etc. Don’t forget that behavior is a way to communicate and poor behavior usually means, “I don’t know what to do.”, “I don’t know how to break this down.”, “I don’t feel like I’m good enough.”, and “What’s the point, I always fail.” With these thoughts in mind, how we respond will have a huge impact on the environment for the better.

    -Revisit Existing Systems - Find ways to create proactive habits out of reactive situations. eg If they forget deodorant then put it on their phone on the kitchen counter to put on in the morning or text them to get school assignments rather than using a planner.

    -Homework Time - Try to make this consistent and be available to help them when they get stuck. Offer support and encouragement. Many times they get stuck because they don’t know how to break down a writing assignment or don’t know how to ask for help…offer help willingly.